EC seeks Gujarat DGP's explanation for remark on force deployment

The Election Commission today sought an explanation from the Gujarat Police chief for his reported comment about deployment of forces in the poll-bound state last week.

The Commission wrote to Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) Chitranjan Singh, asking it to explain his position by today itself, after taking strong exception to his "irresponsible" statement on the heavy deployment of forces in Gujarat during polls.

The DGP, in his reply, has pleaded "not guilty" and said that there was "no intention on his part to undermine the dignity of Election Commission."

Singh was on December 10 quoted as saying that "we have ensured security of all candidates including high profile ones."

Assembly elections Gujarat will be held in two phases on December 13 and 17,

However, when asked on the heavy deployment of forces in the state, the DGP reportedly said, "the reason for such huge forces can be explained only by the Centre and the EC."

The Election Commission had taken strong exception to this as it cast aspersions on the Constitutional body and asked him to explain his position by today evening itself.

Elections for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held in two phases on December 13 and 17.

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