Election Commission Will Examine Sting Video: Central Election Commission

Kolkata: The Central Election Commission today said it had received representations from political parties on the sting video purportedly showing TMC leaders accepting money to help a fictitious private firm and that the matter will be examined.

"The point was made by representatives of political parties and the matter will be examined. We can't say anything immediately as we haven't seen anything as of now. The matter will be examined," Election Commissioner AK Joti said.

He was asked by reporters what action the EC was planning to take in regard to the sting operation.

Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, who was also present, said, "This will be passed on to appropriate authorities now."

The full bench of the Election Commission, led by CEC Nasim Zaidi, is in the city since last evening to examine poll preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections.

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The EC had last night met representatives of various political parties and today they met SPs, DMs, senior bureaucrats and police officials.

Mr Zaidi said the EC would also look into the appointment of a special observer for the state, adding it would take a serious view of incidents of laxity in the enforcement of the model code of conduct and lack of neutrality on the part of officials.

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"Many political parties have informed us about the lack of neutrality of certain officials and have asked us to take appropriate action. We cannot tell you who they are, we have taken note of that. We have independent sources also. We will assess it and an appropriate decision will be taken soon," Mr Zaidi said.

Mr Zaidi said the EC was committed to conduct the poll in a free and fair manner and will place police observers, general observers, expenditure observers and voter awareness observers.