Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal on Tuesday warned all the political parties of stern action if they violate the Model Code of Conduct which is in implementation for the by-elections to be held for 18 assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat in the State.
Talking to reporters here, Bhanwarlal said that the State Government could not take up any publicity campaign till the end of by-elections. He said no new scheme could be launched in the State which could have an impact in 12 districts where by-elections are scheduled to be held. Those districts are Warangal, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur and Chittoor.
The CEO said that the Chief Minister, State and Union Ministers could not hold any official tours or programmes till the completion of by-elections. Further, the government could not release non-plan funds for the 12 districts. He said that the government would have take Election Commission’s approval in case of emergencies. The EC has also imposed a ban on transfers of postings of officials in 12 districts. The government could not continue the on-going Praja Patham programme in those district.
Bhanwarlal said that the Returning Officers would take a decision on May 28 on the allotment of election symbol to YSR Congress party, which presently is a registered political party and yet to get recognition.
The CEO said that the all surveys, opinion and exits polls have been banned for by-elections.
Regarding the polling date of June 12, he said that the Election Commission of India would be briefed that the date clashes with the re-opening of schools in the State.
Bhanwarlal informed that as many as 44,01,392 voters including 22,41,334 women would cast their vote on June 12 through Electronic Voting Machines in 5,405 polling stations across 12 districts. (INN)