The State election authority, the Chief Electoral Officer, has decided to initiate stringent steps to check flow of liquor during the forthcoming elections to the Lok Sabha.
CEO Rajat Kumar said he had conducted a couple of meetings with the Excise and Police department officials in this direction and asked them to initiate steps to keep tab on the parties/candidates indulging in liquor distribution to lure voters.
Mr. Rajat Kumar was responding to complaints from representatives of the political parties that it had become a habit for some parties to distribute liquor to entice voters. They expressed concern over consumption of liquor openly during the public meetings convened by political parties and wanted a thorough check in this regard.
The CEO, who conducted a meeting with representatives of political parties, explained them about the arrangements that were being made for the elections. Adequate care is being taken to ensure that electors as well as staff on duty do not suffer on account of the rising temperatures and necessary infrastructure, including setting up of sheds and putting in place a system for supplying drinking water, is being set up.
‘Report to duties’
Officials drafted for poll duties were asked to report to duties at the earliest so that the election authorities could chalk out an action plan for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections in advance. The CEO's directive comes in the light of reports that some of the officials drafted for duties had not yet reported to duties.
Nominations of the contesting candidates would be received from March 18, the day when the notification for the elections would be issued. The last date for submission of nominations is March 25 and the papers would not, however, be accepted on March 21 and 24 on account of public holidays.
He said instructions had already been issued for removal of the government advertisements and related publicity matter. A special drive was conducted for voter enrolment on March 2 and 3 which received enthusiastic response and the left out voters could enrol themselves in the electors list till March 15.
Left-wing affected areas
Representatives of the Election Commission would arrive in the State on March 14 for inspecting the EVMs and other election equipment while a meeting would be convened with the officials of neighbouring States on ensuring tight vigil in the districts bordering other States. In addition, the EC had been asked about the timing of polling in the critical areas, especially Left-wing extremist affected areas.
Council elections
On the elections to the Legislative Council, he said the election for the vacancies for Council under the MLA quota would be held on Tuesday while the polling for constituencies under the Teachers and Graduates constituencies are slated on March 22. The results of these elections would be announced on March 26 while TRS supported candidate M.S. Prabhakar had been declared elected uncontested from the Hyderabad local authorities constituency.