Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal on Wednesday directed the Warangal District Election Officer to submit a report on the allegations that the Telangana Rashstra Samithi was taking a pledge from the voters to vote for their party in Parkal by-elections.
Separate complaints were lodged by YSR Congress party and Telangana Vidyarthi Sangham against the TRS. The CEO said that the DEO has been asked to enquire into the matter and send a report on the issue.
Further, Bhanwarlal clarified that the cases relating to cash and gold seizure by the authorities in the election-bound districts would be dealt under the Income Tax Laws and the Election Commission does not interfere with them. He said the affected party could approach the Income Tax Department and furnish the proof that the money was legal and not meant to be used to lure voters.
Bhanwarlal said that the stringent steps were being taken to ensure that the election campaigning ends by 10 pm. Regarding a complaint on paid articles by Sakshi newspaper and channel, he said that legal opinion has been sought on the issue. He said the District Monitoring Committees were keeping a watch on the paid-articles.
When asked as to why the affidavits of YSR Congress party candidates were not updated on the Election Commission’s website, he said the affidavits of only recognised parties gets updated on the website. (INN)