Election Commission directs states to protect star campaigners after Owaisi attack

The Election Commission, in its letter to the Chief Electoral Officers of the state, has brought to the notice that “the star campaigners have faced security issues in the ongoing general elections to the assemblies of five states”.

The Election Commission stressed that star campaigners are an integral part of the election process and their safety is of utmost importance to ensure free and fair elections.

“The commission has taken cognizance of the matter and has decided that adequate security will be provided to star campaigners appointed by political parties within the state during elections,” the commission said.

Although the letter does not mention any specific case, Owaisi is one of the “lead/star campaigners” of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. AIMIM is a recognized state party in Telangana.

The election commission’s letter said that the political parties concerned will provide a travel plan, route chart and any other information necessary to provide necessary security cover to their star campaigners to the Chief Electoral Officer and the District Election Officer concerned.

“The security arrangements of the star campaigners will be monitored by a nodal officer at the state level and a nodal officer at the district level, to be appointed by the respective state/UT government,” the letter said. A copy of the letter has also been marked to the leaders of all recognized national and state parties.

On Thursday, shots were fired at Owaisi’s vehicle in Hapur in western Uttar Pradesh when he was returning to Delhi after campaigning for the assembly elections. Assembly elections will be held in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur from February 10 to March 7.