ECI team in Hyderabad, says Telangana on course for early assembly poll

HYDERABAD: Telangana is all set to keep its date with early poll with senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha stating on Wednesday the state is on electoral course.

Basic poll preparedness is on right track, Sinha told reporters, after holding a two-day interaction with political parties and state government officials, including chief secretary and collectors and superintendents of police of districts. Almost confirming that Telangana is on the cusp of elections, the poll panel team said the Election Commission of India (ECI) take a final call and would decide on dates after the team reaches Delhi and submits a report.

Meanwhile, quoting a senior poll functionary, an agency report from Delhi said on Wednesday that there is a possibility that elections in Telangana will be held with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram and the poll process could be completed by second week of December.

Referring to the issue raised by political parties on merger of seven mandals of Bhadrachalam with Andhra Pradesh and status of voters in those mandals, officials said the issue would be placed before ECI.

“We came to the state to assess poll preparedness. District authorities were given certain guidelines as per ECI parameters. Mostly, we discussed electoral roll revision, law and order and requirements of EVMs and VVPATs. We will give our inputs to ECI and it will take a call on the election date,” said Umesh Sinha.

He said, “There is some concern on influence of money during poll. We have given directions to monitor expenses of candidates.”

Sinha said, “Some political parties have informed us that due to Ganesh festival and Moharram, the official machinery will be busy in arrangements and it would be difficult to take up electoral revision work. We have taken note of it.”

The ECI has ordered officials to set up district helplines. “Any complaints received on district helpline shall be addressed within 24 hours. We have directed SMS-based verification should be available to voters to verify their names. Every polling station shall read out names of voters and drummers should go around to create awareness.