If the Election Commission is patting its back for holding a free and fair poll the 2481 cases registered for violation of Model Code of Conduct have created a record of sorts.
A close scrutiny of arrangements that EC had made in the assembly elections reflects a number of firsts in the ongoing poll. The Principal Secretary Home K Chandramauli said only 55 cases were registered for violation of code of conduct in 2002 Vidhan Sabha poll. The total number of such cases registered in 2004 Lok Sabha poll went up to 58, he said.
This was for the first time that the State Government did vulnerability mapping of various assembly constituencies, he said adding that the polling personnel went to such areas to request voters to cast their votes without any fear. The constituencies with high poll percentage were also identified, he said.
Chandramauli said eight persons had died and 161 cases were registered in 2002 Vidhan Sabha elections. In 2004 Lok Sabha election 170 cases were registered while 28 persons had died, he said adding that only 47 cases were registered and no person died in poll violence in 2007.