CEO seeks EC’s guidance on important matters

Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal on Wednesday informed that the opinion of Election Commission of India has been sought for the postings of VROs and VRAs in the poll-bound districts.

Talking to reporters at the State Secretariat, Bhanwarlal said that the advise of Election Commission of India was being sought on several important matters. Regarding promotions and transfers of IAS and IPS officials, he said that the decision was under the purview of the State Government and the Election Commission has no role in it. Further, he also cleared the allotment of land for Bandar in Krishna district as elections were not being held there.

Bhanwarlal said that he was in receipt of a report for the Anantapur Collector on distribution of umbrellas by Primary Education Minister S Sailajanath. He said the matter was being probed and a decision in this regard would be taken soon. Further, the issue of masking the statues of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy in Chittoor district has been referred to the Election Commission.

He also informed that Chief Secretary Pankaj Dwivedi has sent a letter to the Election Commission seeking clarification for appointment of four RTI Commissioners.

Bhanwarlal said that the intention of Election Commission was not to bring the day-to-day administration to a halt, but to ensure that the elections were held in a free and fair manner.

–Agencies