By Bhupen Goswami
Guwahati : Chief Election Officer Mukesh Sahu on Monday said that action will be taken by the Election Commission against candidates holding criminal records who do not publish advertisements of their criminal records at least three times as per the new Election Commission directives. Addressing the media, Mukesh Sahu said, “We will make sure that they publish the advertisement and if they do not publish the advertisement, we will inform the Election Commission and the EC will take the necessary action.” It may be mentioned that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new rule for the Lok Sabha elections this year that the candidates holding any criminal record will have to publish advertisements of their criminal record at least three times in the media (print/ electronic). It is to be seen which candidates violate the guidelines and face the wrath of the Election Commission.
Meanwhile Mukesh Sahu on Monday briefed the media on the various issues related to Lok Sabha elections 2019. Sahu further ascertained that there are a total number of 1.2 lakh ‘D-voters’ in the state, which a drastic increment since the last elections in the state. Sahu also confirmed that those whose names were not included in the final NRC draft could still vote if their names were in the electoral rolls. Addressing the media, Mukesh Sahu said, “There are 1.2 lakh D-voters in the state. The electoral roll is finalized on the last date of nomination so any correction in the electoral roll will be reflected in the last date of nomination and anything after that will not be visible as per electoral rule which will differ in each of the phases of the election. Those whose names have been left out in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) but are in the electoral roll will be able to vote in this election.” The official also stated that there will be street shows arranged as a part of the awareness campaign before the elections.