Outsiders not allowed in Kadapa after May 6 evening: CEO

Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal on Monday made it clear that no outsiders could stay in Kadapa after 5 PM of May 6.

Mr Bhanwar Lal also clarified that the press could visit the district provided they carry the relevant passes.

The CEO also revealed to media persons that as per the complaint received, one Inspector was transferred, cash of Rs 2.21 crore has been seized so far, and 82 persons have been arrested in Kadapa.

Besides this, Mr Bhanwar Lal said that action would be taken against any person found to provoking the people in the name of religion.

To ensure transparency in the by-elections, the CEO said that websites could be visited to view the polling stations’ working etc.

The ECI was also asked to facilitate public viewing through the live web-casting.

Based on the complaints, 11 independents were issued notices, the CEO revealed.

One independent candidate, Kondu Jaganmohan Reddy was allegedly using 20 vehicles for campaign. The candidate has been placed under scanner, Mr Bhanwar Lal stated. If found guilty, any candidate would be deprived of facilities like polling agents, vehicles etc, the CEO said.

He revealed that so far 55 notices have been issued to the candidates -39 to YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy, three to Congress candidate D L Ravindra Reddy, four to Telugu Desam Party candidate MV Mysoora Reddy, two to Congress candidate for Pullivendula Assembly constituency YS Vivekananda Reddy and seven to YSR Congress candidate of the same constituency YS Vijayalakshmi.

Mr Bhanwar Lal revealed that only Mr Jaganmohan Reddy has replied to 9 notices.

So far, 69 complaints have been received and in 44 cases action had been taken and 25 cases were pending, the CEO continued.

One CI k Ullafaih of Badvel was transferred as per ECI direction, the CEO revealed.

To ensure peaceful polling, Central forces have been deployed at each polling station. In all over 13.28 lakh voters are in Kadapa Parliamentary constituency which has 42 candidates vying for victory while 25 candidates are in the fray for the Pulivendula Assembly seat.

CM for Kadapa

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will camp in Kadapa on Tuesday and campaign for Congress candidates DR D L Ravindra Reddy and Y S Vivekananda Reddy. He will leave for Kadapa this evening, according to official sources.

The Chief Minister will return to the city on May 4.

He will proceed to New Delhi on May 6 along with Civil Supplies Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu. They are expected to meet Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.