EC Notice For Jagan, Congress

Notices have been issued to ministers D L Ravindra Reddy (Congress candidate for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat), Syed Ahmedullah, Kanna Lakshminarayana, Dokka Manikya Varaprasad Rao, former Minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy (Congress candidate for the Pulivendula seat), Kodur MLA Srinivas and District Congress Secretary Ashok Kumar for violation of the election code.

They were given 24 hours to submit their reply to the district Collector. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bhanwar Lal told media persons at the Secretariat on Tuesday that action would be initiated by the Election Commission Of India (ECI) for the said violation.

He said that notices were issued to the Congress leaders after they were found to be participating in a meeting in a church, and added that it was unethical to indulge in electoral activities in the religious places of the district.

YSR Congress candidate Y S Jaganmohan Reddy was also issued a notice for violating the election code in connection with the alleged "paid news" that had appeared in the Sakshi newspaper/channel. He has been asked to explain why the telecast cannot be treated as paid news.

The District Level Media Certification And Monitoring Committee, which is constituted for the certification of advertisements, will be headed by the Joint Collector Kadapa (phone number:- 9849904110). The committee will monitor the print and electronic media till the voting ends.

The APSRTC Chairman was also issued a warning on the announcement of "Vanitha Family Cards".

The CEO disclosed that in addition to the existing 34 flying squads, 23 more such teams have been called for. Bhanwar Lal said that he had also spoken to the DGP and the district Collector to ensure peaceful conduct of polls. "Shadow teams will follow dummy candidates," he said.

No exit polls will be allowed, he emphasised, and added that by May 6th, all arrangements would be in place at all the polling stations.

Earlier, at a meeting, the CEO had briefed the Congress, TDP and PRP teams of the details.

He informed that 3 more observers, in addition to the current 4, would be appointed for each constituency.

He also informed that 62 persons have been arrested so far for the sales/manufacture/storage of illicit liquor.

As many as 206 vehicles, 1,240 licensed arms, 1,248 gelatin sticks and 4 bombs have been seized. (INN)