State Election Commissioner V. Nagi Reddy has warned that the State election authority will initiate stringent action against the contestants of the forthcoming panchayat raj elections if they indulge in spending amounts over and above the prescribed limits.
Mr. Nagi Reddy recalled that the Commission had disqualified several candidates for not furnishing their election expenditure reports and similar steps would be initiated against those who fail to submit their reports this time too. The Commission was also firm on taking appropriate action against the contestants if they were found guilty of violation of model code of conduct now in force across the State.
The State Election Commission convened a meeting of general and election observers to explain them about the steps that should be taken to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. The meeting also inspected the ballot boxes that would be utilised in the elections that are apolitical in nature without the involvement of the political parties. The participants were educated about the possible ways in which candidates could indulge in code violations and the measures that should be taken against those found guilty of such incidents.
Stringent action
Mr. Nagi Reddy said that stringent action would be taken in case of contestants trying to make the election unanimous by mounting pressure on the opponents. Steps would be initiated to conduct re-polling immediately in the event of rigging of votes in the upcoming elections. The election authority had already positioned police forces in sensitive areas and more forces could be requisitioned wherever necessary.
Replying to queries, he said there was no restrictions on the implementation of the ongoing schemes and projects in view of the model code in force. The candidates should, however, not take up new schemes pertaining to the respective panchayats when the code was operational. The code of conduct would be enforced in the rural segments where elections were being held and the code of conduct was not applicable in GHMC limits or areas under the jurisdiction of municipal corporations.