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Petition For EC Intervention In Bhanwar Lal Case:- EAS Sarma, the former Energy Secretary had sought the intervention of the Election Commission in the Bhanwar Lal matter. Mr. Sarma alleged that the Andhra Pradesh Government was trying to harass its Chief Election Officer Bhanwar Lal, who superannuated on Tuesday.

A letter to AK Jyoti, Chief Election Commissioner of India, was written by Sarma on Thursday. In his letter, he had addressed to the then CEO of Andhra Pradesh. Sarma demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances under which the AP Government had issued a GO releasing a significantly large amount, apparently with a view to influence the Nandyal elections.

“I hope that the CEO of AP had investigated this and submitted a report to you. I hope that the Commission has initiated action against those responsible for violating the Representation of the People Act. I find that the AP government is now trying to harass Shri Bhanwar Lal, who has just retired, for not towing their line. In my view, the Commission should intervene in this matter and safeguard the interests of Bhanwar Lal, as otherwise the electoral officers dealing with the States may hesitate in the future to be objective in protecting the integrity of the election process,” he stated.

Dr. Sarma said that the Commission had in the past made such an intervention by going to the rescue of the then Bihar CEO and by rescinding the charge against Bhanwar Lal, a similar intervention in the case has been suggested. This would go a long way in boosting up the morale of the officers reporting to the Commission.

The Election Commission was also requested by Sarma, to bring to back all those politicians and civil servants who were instrumental in issuing the GOs in early September this year. Indicating highly questionable motives on their part and an outright attempt to indulge in electoral corruption of the worst kind, this involved the release of large amounts to the voters of Nandyal on the eve of the election.

The Nandyal bypolls were held in August. The ruling TDP accused Lal of bias in implementation of the election code.

“I further understand that the winning political party and the candidate at the Nandyal election had also far exceeded the prescribed limit of election expenditure, which in my view, the Commission should take note of and act firmly,” he stated

The credibility of the electoral process will be determined by the firmness and objectivity with which the Commission acts in such cases.

SUPRAJA