Menon slams EC for failing to ensure fair polls

Workers Party President and Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon yesterday in parliament sharply criticised the Election Commission for not playing its due role in arranging fair elections.

"Despite having enough power, the Election Commission has failed to play its due role in holding fair elections to local government institutions," Menon said, while participating in a thanksgiving  motion on the president's speech.

Lambasting EC, Menon said during the last municipal elections, there were different allegations, including stuffing of ballot boxes on the eve of voting day, and occupation of election booths. "But the Election Commission did not pay heed to any complaints," he added.

Menon said now there were allegations of obstructing even candidates from his political party from filing nomination papers in the upcoming Union Parishad elections.

"But the EC is totally unwilling to take the matters into account." He quoted EC as saying they would not be able to maintain the election schedule if they started addressing complaints raised by candidates.

"But I would like to ask which is important? Holding a free and fair election or to maintain the election schedule?" he quipped.

"If people's voting rights cannot be ensured in the Union Parishad election, frustration will grip the people. And the people will lose confidence," he said.