EC sends notices to Cong leaders, Jagan for violations

Notices have been issued to Ministers Dl Ravindra Reddy, Congress candidate for Kadapa Lok Sabha seat, Syed Ahmedullah, Kanna Lakshminarayana, Dokka Manikya Varaprasad Rao, former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy, (Congress candidate for Pulivendula seat), Kodur MLA Srinivas and District Congress secretary Ashok Kumar for violation of election code.

They were given 24 hours to give their reply to the district Collector.

Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal told media persons at the Secretariat on Tuesday that action would be initiated by the Election Commission of India for the said violation.

He said that notices were issued to the Congress leaders after they were found to be participating in a meeting in a Church. Mr Bhanwar Lal added that no candidate was expected to do so particularly in the religious places of the district.

Similarly, in respect of ‘paid news’ the Sakshi newspaper/channel also attracted the Election Code and YSR Congress candidate Y S Jaganmohan Reddy was issued notice.

They were asked to explain why the telecast cannot be treated as paid news. The CEO explained that if the ceiling allowed for an Assembly/Parliamentary constituency exceeded the expenditure would go into the account of the channel/newspaper.

Complaints can be given in respect of paid news, the CEO clarified.

The District Level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee which is constituted for

certification of advertisements under Joint Collector Kadapa (phone number:- 9849904110). He will also monitor both the print and electronic media including cable networks and record either in CD or DVD or keep a photo copy of all advertisements/paid news/election related news of the contestants.

The APSRTC Chairman was also issued a warning on announcement of issue of ‘Vanitha Family Cards’.

In addition to the existing 34 flying squads, 23 more such teams were asked for, the CEO disclosed.

Mr Bhanwar Lal said that he had also spoken to the DGP and district Collector for peaceful conduct of polls.

Mr Bhanwar Lal also urged the voters to exercise their franchise freely and exceed the earlier record in Kadapa which was 78 per cent.

He ruled out any fear complex and steps were being taken to hold free and fair polls.

As many as 17 Central companies were coming in two or three days and he had asked for more central forces for effective surveillance in each constituency particularly in weak or

trouble prone areas.

This apart, shadow teams will follow dummy candidates, he said.

No exit polls will be allowed, he emphasised and added that by May 6, all arrangements will be in place in all the polling stations.

Earlier at a meeting, the CEO had briefed the details to the recognized National and state level political parties - Congress, TDP and PRP teams excluding the YSR Congress Party which was yet to be recognized.

After briefing them about the latest instructions of ECI, Mr Bhanwar Lal has asked them to extend their cooperation for free and fair polls. He informed that three more observers in addition to four will be appointed for each constituency.

62 arrested

The CEO informed that nearly Rs 2 crore has been seized so far in 28 cases. Number of bound over persons were 9802, raids conducted so far was 214, prohibition cases 95 and 62 persons have been arrested so far in the illicit liquor sales/manufacture or storage of liquor.

As many as 206 vehicles, 1240 licensed arms and 1248 gelatin sticks including four bombs were seized.