DRAFTING /REQUISITIONING OF PREMISES/VEHICLES

Cabinet Secretary's letter regarding extending assistance to State Govt. in the conduct of elections.

Cabinet Secretary's letter No. 53/5/2/91-CA. V dated 12th April, 1991 addressed to the All Secretaries to the Govt. of India.
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Subject: Extending assistance to State Government in the conduct of elections.

The general elections to the Tenth Lok Sabha have been announced and there will be simultaneous polls to the State Assemblies of some States and the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

2. For the efficient conduct of polling, the available personnel working in the States and in the Central Government offices in the States as well as under the local bodies, statutory bodies, corporations and public sector undertakings have to be mobilised. This work calls for advance planning and assessment of the availability of the requisite number of staff. To avoid any allegation of collusion among the polling personnel in favour of any candidate/political party and to instill public confidence in free and fair elections, it is necessary to ensure a proper mix of polling personnel drawn from different offices and departments at the time of formation of polling parties. Similarly, premises and vehicles of the Central Government may also be required by the States for conducting the elections.

3. Since the State Governments generally experience difficulty in mobilising the requisite number of personnel and vehicles to meet the requirements, they look to the Central Government offices and Departments in the States for getting additional personnel and vehicles during the elections. Of course, the State Governments have the authority to obtain services of personnel and to requisition vehicles and premises etc. The relevant Acts also provide for legal consequences for non-compliance.

4. I shall be grateful if all Central Government offices including attached and sub-ordinate offices, public sector undertakings etc. under your Ministry/Department are issued necessary instructions for extending all assistance to the State Governments in the conduct of the forthcoming elections.

5. Copy to all Secretaries to the Govt. of India and to Shri K.P.G. Kutty, Secretary Election Commission of India with reference to his letter No. 458/91/10083 dated 8.4.1991.



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