Election Commission raps excise department for its failure to curb liquor menace ahead of polls

DEHRADUN: Expressing displeasure over excise department’s failure to curb menace of free-flowing liquor, the Election Commission team on Thursday directed state chief secretary S Ramaswamy to take appropriate action in this regard. The EC team asked Uttarakhand government to submit a report within four days, following which it will review the situation. The decision came after political parties informed CEC Nasim Zaidi that there is a possibility of liquor being used to woo voters.
“Representatives of various political parties said that liquor, both illicit and legitimate, could be used to lure voters. We spoke to the excise department officials and found that the enforcement work by the excise machinery was unsatisfactory,” said Zaidi, who is in the state capital on a two-day visit.
“A political party has complained in this regard. We will look into the matter as per the guidelines. I cannot comment any further in this matter,” said Zaidi.
Political parties also raised the issue of cold weather conditions playing a spoilsport on the polling day of February 15. He pointed out that a disaster recovery plan has been prepared to ensure that the polling parties as well as the voters easily reached the polling stations. “We have the required number of manpower and machines to clear snow to help voters reach the polling stations,” said Zaidi.
He also directed the state authorities to look into the matter of parole being given to some criminals before assembly elections. The issue was brought before the CEC by a political party, following which he passed the directions and asked the state authorities to take action if any anomalies were found in the process.
To keep a check on any money being brought into the state through helicopter or airplane, the air intelligence units have been posted at Jolly Grant Airport, Sahastradhara helipad and Pant Nagar airport. Besides, teams are also being deployed near the various helipads of Uttarakhand to check the use of unaccounted money.
On the occasion, two android applications ‘Dehradun votes’ and an application for polling parties were launched. There are eight applications in Dehradun votes which helps a person trace his polling station and find other details related to voting. The second application is for the polling parties and their duties.