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The Election Commission of India had announced the schedule for conducting the General Elections to constitute the new State Legislative Assemblies of Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana on December 17, 2004. Considering various aspects including law and order to ensure smooth conduct of these elections was an immense task. The Commission is submitting the due Constitution Notifications for the new Legislative Assemblies to the Hon'ble Governors of these States for formally completing the exercise.
The Commission takes this opportunity to place on record its gratitude to the Union Government and the three State Governments for their unstinted support and assistance, all the election officials, polling personnel and Observers / Special Observers for enthusiastically and patiently discharging their responsibilities, the police and security forces for bravely and courageously ensuring peace and order, the engineers and technicians of BEL for the prompt and efficient support services for the maintenance of the EVMs, the media for keeping a watchful, but critical eye, on the entire electoral process, and the political parties, contesting candidates and their supporters for upholding the democratic traditions of this country.
No words are enough to thank the electorate of these three States who through a peaceful exercise of their franchise once again reposed their faith in free and fair elections as a part of our democracy.
The Commission after having seen few media reports about the externment of certain persons from their districts, would like to clarify that these orders were not issued by the Election Commission and that the District Administrations in these districts took these decisions after appreciating the law and order conditions prevailing in their jurisdiction, and in exercise of their quasi-judicial & administrative powers under the relevant local statutes in order to ensure free and fair polls.
Election Commission of India
New Delhi, March 2, 2005/Phalguna 11, 1926
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