All arrangements in place, 42 for Kadapa, 25 for Pulivendula in fray: CEO

After withdrawal of Nominations on April 18, 42 candidates were left in the fray for the by-elections to the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat and 25 candidates for the Pulivendula Assembly seat.

For the Lok Sabha seat 43 Nominations were found to be valid while for Pulivendula seat 26 were valid Nominations.

One each from both the constituencies withdrew from the poll race.

An independent, G Jaganmohan Reddy withdrew from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency and another independent M Jayabharatha Reddy withdrew his candidature from Pulivendula Assembly constituency.

Prominent among those who are in the fray for Kadapa Lok Sabha seat are Dr D L Ravindra Reddy (Congress), MV Mysoora Reddy (TDP) and Y S Jaganmohan Reddy from YSR Congress Party respectively.

For the Pulivendula Assembly seat, YS Vivekananda Reddy of the Congress, Ravindranath Reddy Mareddi of the TDP and Y S Vijayalakshmi of the YSR Congress party respectively are the prominent candidates. The YSR Congress Party has been allotted ‘ceiling fan’ symbol.

Briefing media persons at the state Secretariat on Thursday, Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal said that two more Central observers have been deputed in view of seizure of huge amount of Rs 1.74 crore which is a record achievement against Rs 39 crore recovered earlier in the entire state. The new observers would arrive in Kadapa on Friday, the CEO said.

With this a total of 8 Central observers have been appointed in the district, he added.

As part of deployment of forces in the district, 32 flying squads have been appointed and 32 more such squads will be stationed in the district later, Mr Bhanwar Lal revealed.

The CEO appealed to the voters through the media to cooperate with the officials in conducting free and fair polls. In case of complaints, he said that documentary proof was required.

The reason for such a heavy deployment of forces was because of complaints received from the people in the district, Mr Bhanwar Lal. The CEO made it clear that giving or accepting any gifts or cash or any article is an offence under section 171 B of the IPC.

As alleged by the Congress party that a newspaper was distributing money in their vehicles in the district, the CEO said that all vehicles including those of press, police and others would be under check to avoid any repetition of such incidents.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of polls, he emphasised.

E Seva services were being utilized for issue of Electoral Photo Identity Cards to the voters who were already enrolled.

In all, 700 EVMs will be required in view of large number of contestants, the CEO stated. Three balloting units for Lok Sabha poll and two balloting units for Assembly elections for each polling station are required, Mr Bhanwar Lal pointed out. All the election material had already been supplied to the District Election Officer, he disclosed.

Special Executive Magisterial powers were conferred on 219 sectoral officers other than Sub Divisional Magistrates for Kadapa constituency and for Pulivendula Assembly constituency to exercise powers under sections 129, 133, 143, 144, 174, 4, and 176 of Criminal Procedure Code in their respective jurisdictions.