‘Stop oppn from raking up sub-judice issues’

Ranchi: Ruling parties here have requested the Election Commission to prevent opposition from raking up issues which are sub-judice during the campaigning for upcoming assembly elections.
A delegation of the EC, led by CEC Rajiv Kumar, on Tuesday wrapped up its two-day Jharkhand visit to review preparations for the elections. The tenure of the ongoing assembly will end on January 5 next year.In a statement issued after the meeting, the EC said: “Some parties raised concerns on hate speeches during campaigning. One of the parties requested ban on raising sub-judice matters in the state such as illegal immigrants during election campaigning.”

The BJP has been raking up the issue of the alleged infiltration of Bangladeshis through the bordering districts of West Bengal in tribal dominated Santhal Pargana, which is the stronghold of the ruling JMM. The saffron party, in its meeting with the EC delegation on Monday, had raised concerns in the surge of electorates in a few assembly constituencies and requested a detailed inquiry. A PIL regarding the infiltration is being heard in Jharkhand HC.
Parties in the state urged the EC to notify elections in Jharkhand after the festive season which consists of Durga Puja, Diwali, Chhath Puja and statehood day to ensure enhanced electorate participation. “It was informed that many voters in the state will be travelling for Chhath Puja. Many parties also requested for a single-phase election,” the EC’s statement read.
There are over 2.59 crore electors in Jharkhand after the special summary revision of electors which was published last month. Of them, 1.31 crore are male, 1.28 crore are female and 11.05 lakh first-time voters. In their second day of the meeting on Tuesday, the EC delegation met the deputy commissioners, SPs and top brass of the state police to discuss security issues.