The Election Commission of India has suspended the head of the flying squad team in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris and has replaced the entire team after lapses were found in the performance of their election duties.
As per sources, the action was taken against Geetha, the head of the flying squad, for alleged laxity in duty while checking the vehicles of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and MP A Raja, who is also a candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from The Nilgiris seat.
The action comes amid Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar’s repeated statements on zero-tolerance against disturbing the level playing field for free and fair elections.
According to sources, media reports had surfaced alleging laxity in the checking of A Raja’s cavalcade at an interstate check post near Kunnur, Kerala.
“Based on media reports and subsequent enquiry by the Returning Officer, Nilgiris, as also the Expenditure Observer, head of the flying squad team Geetha has been suspended as lapses were found in performance of election duties,” a source said. The entire team has been replaced, they added.
As per officials, the Expenditure Observer visited the spot and viewed the two videos recorded by the surveillance teams. “Both the press video as well as the surveillance team’s videos show casual and superficial checking. The other cars in the cavalcade were not checked at all,” they added.
The Election Commission has taken a serious note of the soft approach towards a prominent candidate. “All political parties and candidates will be dealt with firmly, if found to be violating the MCC guidelines issued by ECI for a level playing field in ensuring free and fair elections,” it said.
The Nilgiris will vote on April 19 in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024. A Raja is contesting against BJP candidate and Union Minister of State L Murugan from the constituency.
Earlier this week in the constituency, cash carried by two groups of tourists was seized as they failed to show supporting documents.
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