Chandigarh, Dec 28 (IANS) Political parties luring voters with drugs and liquor in poll-bound Punjab is a ‘serious’ issue, the Central Election Commission said Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters here, Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi said the malpractice ‘was seriously viewed’ by the panel.
He had earlier said that while there have been complaints of parties distributing liquor in other states, the use of drugs was unique to Punjab.
Quraishi said that during the Election Commission’s meetings with representatives of various political parties, the main complaints were regarding paid news, character assassination of leaders and misuse of media outlets owned by leaders.
Asked if the passing of the Lokpal bill would influence the assembly elections in five states, he said parliament is an independent body and the model code of conduct does not apply to its decisions.
Quraishi and other poll officials are here to review arrangements for the Jan 30 election to the 117-member state assembly.
