210 teams to crack down on poll code violations

29 arrested so far but no cash seized; surveillance tightened with 138 static teams and 49 check-posts being set up

Atleast 19,327 people have been deployed for election work across 11 constituencies. Over 210 teams have been set up to crack down on violations of the model code of conduct (MCC) in Mysuru district.

The district election authorities have stepped up shadowing across the district, setting up 138 static surveillance teams and 49 check-posts. So far, 29 people have been arrested in connection with violations and investigations are under way.

Four FIRs – one each – has been registered in Varuna, H.D. Kote, Hunsur and Chamundeshwari constituencies. Barring complaints from rural areas, there have been zero complaints in Mysuru city, according to District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner K.B. Shivakumar.

Out of 26 complaints registered with the DC and Taluk Control Rooms, 19 had been disposed off. The cases mostly include accusations against the government officers and staff (deployed on election work) working in favour of a particular political party. After investigations, some of these have been disposed off, he said.

144 raids

As many as 144 raids had been conducted by the respective teams, arresting 29 persons and seizing 21.05 litres of liquor since the day the Model Code of Conduct had come into force. However, no cash has been seized. With 93 flying squads and 209 sector officers, surveillance against electoral malpractices has been beefed up.

One person was taken into custody and is being interrogated in connection with the seizure of gold ornaments weighing around 1 kg on the Karnataka-Kerala border close to H.D. Kote a couple of days ago. Further details on the case were awaited.

Kinds of complaints

Mr. Shivakumar said three types of complaints were being registered by the public with the control rooms – accusing officers and staff of working in favour of a party or a candidate; not addressing issues of inclusion of names in the electoral rolls; and complaints pertaining to road works.

“Some corruption cases are also being petitioned as election complaints. Such complaints are being forwarded to the concerned agencies. There have been complaints on the use of vehicles in the campaigns and also on some ongoing works. They are being looked into,” he said.