Addressing a press conference here, Mr Das, who is also the District Collector said it was mandatory that the cards be produced in the polling booths. Those who lost their cards can get a duplicate by paying Rs 25 before polling and in case of any mismatch, the voter could excercise his franchise by producing some other documents such as Passport or Driving licence.

Mr Das said Central government officers from Kerala would be appointed as presiding/polling officers in Mahe region and from Andhra Pradesh in Yanam region as per the direction of the Election Commission. The group 'D' staffs available locally would be there to assist them. The returning officers concerned would give training to the presiding/polling officers, he added.

Stating that filing of nomination for the second phase of polling in Pondicherry and Karaikal regions would begin on April 13, he said as per the direction of the EC, not more than three vehicles could come within 100 m of the office of the election officer when a candidate comes to file the nomination. Also, the candidate could take the proposer and four other persons with him at the time of filing nominations.

He said the election department was receiving complaints of government employees working for political parties and a field worker with the health department Raj alias Gnanavel had been suspended after inquiring his case and some more complaints received were under investigation.

The department was considering enhncing the number of polling booths with the setting up of about 156 auxilary booths. The permission of the EC had been sought in this regard, he informed.

Replying to a question, Mr Das said the election department was presently concentrating more on law and order and other issues and the police were requested to carry out raids in sensitive areas to unearth weapons and firearms.

He said the department had not received any direction from the EC to suspend electioneering in rural areas by 2200 hrs and as on date the campaigning would be up to 2300 hrs.

UNI PAB ROY PA BS1920