Chennai, Feb 24 (Reporter) While asserting that the Election Commission was committed to conducting a free and fair poll, Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar on Saturday said the ECI would consider the request of holding single phase polls for Lok Sabha in Tamil Nadu. Talking to reporters after a two-day review meeting to review the poll preparedness in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, he said the ECI was committed to hold a free and fair elections. Leaders of various political parties, who attended the meeting, favoured a single phase polling. The ECI will consider it, he added. Mr Rajiv Kumar denied social media reports about the election dates and said and appealed to the voters not to believe it. The dates would be officially announced by the ECI, he added. He also said the ECI wouold be more vigilant to curb use of money power in the polls. He said all the Collectors and enforcement agencies had been strictly told that the elections should be inducements-free (in any form), fair, and transparent and the ECI would come down heavily on police officials if they did not ensure a level playing field for the upcoming election. In this regard, Mr. Rajiv Kumar said: “Voters can use a mobile application called cVIGIL app. It is everybody’s duty to curb money power. If a voter has any information about distribution of money, liquor, freebees etc., they can report it anonymously. The report will be automatically geo-tagged, and within 100 minutes, our team will reach the spot and decide whether to take action or not.” To ensure more transparency about the profile of the candidates, he said it was the right of the voter to read the affidavit of the candidate, which could be accessed on the ‘Know Your Candidate’ app. On curbing transporting of money and other goods, he said “a total of 145 check posts will be set up at interstate borders. Officials have also been directed to keep a strict watch on electricity bills and godowns with fast-moving goods, such as cookers and saris. The agencies have also been directed not to stop with just individuals but take action against the entire network. Banks will also keep an eye on digital wallets,” he added. He said there were 6.19 crore voters in Tamil Nadu which included 3.15 crore women, 3.04 crore men and 8,294 Transgenders. There were 9.18 lakh first time voters in the 18-19 age group. "We have appointed dedicated assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) in colleges. We also have 5.26 lakh first-time voters in Tamil Nadu and have ensured the enrollment of 1.61 lakh voters from the vulnerable tribal groups,” he said. There would be 68,144 polling stations, including 40,838 in rural areas and 27,306 in urban areas. Mr Rajiv Kumar said since the polling day would be held amid peak summer heat, he directed the authorities to ensure that all basic facilities are put in place for the convenience of the voters. They included toilets, drinking water, ramp and wheel chair facilities in all the polling booths. On the cVigil app for registering complaints, he said the identity of the complainant would be kept strict and even if the citizen wants, he need not give his name and could remain anonymous. "For every complaint, there will be response in 100 minutes", he assured. In last assembly elections in state over 5,800 complaints received, he said. Mr. Rajiv Kumar said political party representatives had requested the ECI to crack down on the use of money power and inducements during the election and said they wanted candidates found indulging in malpractice to be disqualified. Election Commissioner Arun Goel, Tamil Nadu Chief Election Officer Satyabrata Sahu and other senior officials of the ECI were also present...////...