With filing of nominations for the Tiruvarur by-election set to begin on Thursday, the district administration has constituted nine flying squads and six static teams to supervise enforcement of model code of conduct in the constituency. The by-election is scheduled to be held on January 28.
Each squad and team would have an officer from the Central government besides a State official in the rank of tahsildar/ block development officer or deputy tahsildar, an inspector of police and a videographer.
Disclosing this at a press conference here on Wednesday, Collector L.Nirmal Raj, said an election control room would function round the clock and public can lodge complaints relating to the by-poll by dialling the toll-free number 18004257035.
Filing of nominations for the by-poll would close on January 10 and nominations would be taken up for scrutiny the next day.
January 14 will be the last date for withdrawal of nominations and counting of votes polled will be taken up on January 31.
As many as 2,63,803 voters, including 1,29,462 men, 1,34, 321 women and 20 transgenders are eligible to exercise their franchise. The constituency would have 158 polling stations with 303 polling booths.
Asking political parties to adhere to the model code of conduct, Mr.Nirmal Raj said no poster or wall writing would be allowed on walls of public buildings. The ban would apply to private buildings in municipal limits even if permission is obtained from owners.
In rural areas, wall writings or posters can be pasted with permission in writing from owners of private buildings. Penal action would be initiated against candidates and parties in case of violations.
Distribution of gift articles, food or cash at marriage halls or community centres would not be allowed. Food should not be distributed under the guise of ‘annadhanams’ outside places of worship.
Campaigning and use of loud speakers would be banned from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Police permission should be obtained from use of speakers. Permission should also be obtained for rallies by providing full details to the police, he said.