by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

• T N Seshan Days brought to mind

Mysore, Dec 5: Discussions are now going on about the 'Peter effect' caused by the working style of Election Commission Observer Raymond Peter in the Chamundeshwari constituency by-poll here.

It was T.N. Seshan, the then Chief Election Commissioner who proved that the Commission is not a toothless snake. Later, the work carried out by Election Officer K.J. Rao in the Bihar Assembly elections was appreciated by one and all. And now, the work of Peter too is being lauded.

Peter is an IAS officer from the 1984 batch in Andhra Pradesh. Hailing from Hyderabad, he is a post graduate in Geology. He came to limelight when he worked as District Collector in the most backward district of Mehaboob Nagar. He did a commendable job there by forming women groups along with various NGOs and carried out various developmental works.

Having worked as an expert in the water conservation organisations, he is also an adviser to UNO on this issue. He was in Washington for sometime representing the World Bank. He worked as Secretary to Irrigation Department for the AP Government and presently working as Managing Director of AP Tourism Development Corporation.

While working in the Bihar elections, he had assisted in transporting the ballot boxes to the polling booths by helicopter and then shifting the same.

In the Chamundeshwari by-poll proceedings, from day one, he adhered to the strict measures and some of the instances are as under:

On the last day of filing of nominations, Chikkathammaiah, who was the Returning Officer had made Siddharamaiah to wait for long. It was stated that based on a request by JD (S) candidate for extension of time, he had acted thus. But Peter, who was present there, immediately took action to shift him. On the same grounds, two senior Police officers were also transferred.

As the poll campaigns from the parties went brisk, Peter too became hyperactive. He cautioned the political leaders, who violated the code of conduct. Notices were issued to Ministers Cheluvarayaswamy, Basavaraj Horatti and even to the Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. When reply was not received, the Commission censured them.

This angered both the Chief Minister and JD(S) National President H.D. Deve Gowda, who fumed at the Election Commission. Gowda even shouted "Mr. Peter". Undeterred by all these issues, Peter continued his work and ordered confiscation of vehicles which were used unofficially.

More than 115 cases have been registered in just two weeks for code violations. Of this, 42 against JD(S) and 54 against Congress have been registered. Distribution of liquor and money have been avoided at some places. Unofficial banners, posters have been removed.

EC clarifies

While the ruling parties have complained about the partiality, the Central Election Commission in response to JD(S) complaint clarified that no such bias was observed. However, Mallikarjuna Kharge had reacted in saying that a notice to the Chief Minister of AP was also issued for similar incidents at Karimnagar.

The order issued after the public campaigning in Chamundeshwari constituency led to a serious debate among the political circles. There are mixed reactions on the order which directed leaders connected and unconnected with the constituency to leave Mysore.

Lesson to Parties

Peter was successful in teaching lesson to all the political parties who had plans to distribute money and other materials by seizing them. While the State Election Officer was contacted to get more details about service background and the work carried out by Peter in Chamundeshwari constituency, he refused to comment. Meanwhile it is an established fact that in this by-poll Peter was a terror to many.

Raymond Peter says 'Thanks'

Election Observer Raymond J. Peter has thanked the Deputy Commissioner, City Police Commissioner and District Superintendent of Police for extending co-operation for the smooth conduct of by-poll to the Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency yesterday.

Speaking to media persons at the Deputy Commissioner's office here yesterday, Peter said that no untoward incident took place in the constituency during the election, for which the credit goes to the local Police and the Para-Military forces, who were deployed in a meticulously planned manner at the hyper-sensitive and sensitive booths.

After finding snags in the Electronic Voting Machines in three polling stations, they were replaced on time, without up-setting the polling, he said and added that based on complaints against polling officials in Bogadi, Gunjralchathra and Hinkal, they were immediately replaced by other polling officers.

Asked about the complaint lodged by District In-charge Minister D.T. Jayakumar, Peter said that he had only carried out his duties as an Election Observer.

Deputy Commissioner S. Selvakumar was present.