My Hands Are Tied : Rajat kumar

Hyderabad: CEO Rajat Kumar has expressed his helplessness pertaining to the breach of model Code of Conduct by political parties. Caretaker CM K Chandra shekar Rao is not heeding to the notices sent by the election commission, and is still continuing to conduct political meetings from his official residence Pragathi bhavan.

Rajat Kumar has organised a press meet in relation with Assembly elections. If the elections model code is violated then cases are going to be levied under the People’s Representation Act, CrPc, ICC sections. Even after issuing repeated warnings to the leaders they have been organizing meetings based on region, religion, caste. If any complaints are received with proper evidence that the leaders requested people to vote based on region, religion, caste then they will be sacked after winning the election.

Leaders who are violating the law cannot banned by the election commission. Breach of the model code of conduct will be dealt under the law. Statements from the leaders facing allegations and inquiry reports from the district officials are also being looked into, he said. All the cases involving serious accusations are being referred to the Central Election Commission. Notices have been issued to Caretaker Minister Harish Rao, Revanth Reddy, Prathap Reddy, Ravula Chandrashekar Reddy, for making personal comments on their opponents and all of them have denied allegations .

TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy, justified his attending YMCA event, and a case has been filed against him in the Gopalapuram police station. In the attack on opposition party candidates cases have been field against Ex MLA Gangula Kamalakar and V. Hanumantha Rao based on MIM’s complaint. Another 10 complaints related to the code violation are under consideration. There is a staff shortage to inquire about the cases. All the election officers, local staff are busy with the upcoming elections, which is hindering the inquiry of the cases.

He pointed out that a total of 3,583 nominations have been received for 119 constituencies. As per the notification all the verifications cannot be completed in a day.  So on Wednesday candidates list will be released, he observed. After the nominations are withdrawn on 22, we shall know who are candidates contesting in the elections, from 23 on wards the ballot papers will be printed, he added.

Shortage in polling staff: There is a shortage of staff in conducting the elections, contract and outsourcing employees are being considered as an option, we have also sent a letter suggesting the same to the central election commission.  A total of 1,60,509 polling staff is required and 20 % of them should be put in the reserve. There is huge shortage in Malkajgiri, Medchal in these constituencies we shall request central government for the use of central government employees. Along with 30 thousand state police force, another 18 thousand police force will be placed to conduct elections safely. 279 central forces are going to be deployed, he added.

From 23 on wards booth level voter slips are issued to the people, which shall be distributed to the voters by employees at their door step, this shall be finished by the end of this month.

Only family members will be handed over the slips in the absence of the person, if the BLO’s distribute them in bulk then, severe action is taken on them. Printing of duplicate voters slips is also a offence.

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