As of April 18th, 42 candidates were left in the fray for the by-elections to the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat, and 25 candidates for the Pulivendula Assembly seat.
After the withdrawal of a few nominations on April 18th, 42 candidates were left in the fray for the by-elections to the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat, and 25 candidates for the Pulivendula Assembly seat.
Earlier, 43 and 26 nominations were found to be valid for the Kadapa Lok Sabha and the Pulivendula Assembly seats, repectively, out of which 1 nomination each from both the constituencies was withdrawn.
An independent candidate, G Jaganmohan Reddy withdrew his candidature from the Lok Sabha constituency, and another independent candidate M Jayabharatha Reddy withdrew from the Pulivendula Assembly constituency.
Prominent candidates who are in the fray for the Kadapa seat are Dr. D L Ravindra Reddy (Congress), M V Mysoora Reddy (TDP) and Y S Jaganmohan Reddy (YSR Congress Party).
For the Pulivendula Assembly seat, Y S Vivekananda Reddy (Congress), Ravindranath Reddy Mareddi (TDP) and Y S Vijayalakshmi (YSR Congress Party) are the prominent candidates.
Briefing media persons at the state Secretariat on Thursday, Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal said that 2 more Central observers have been deputed in Kadapa in view of the seizure of Rs. 1.74 crores there.
The new observers would arrive in Kadapa on Friday, the CEO said, and added that with the appointment of the new Central observers, the number of such observers camping in the district would reach a total of 8.
As part of the deployment of forces in the district, 32 flying squads have been appointed, and 32 more such squads would be stationed in the district later, revealed Bhanwar Lal.
The CEO appealed to the voters through the media to cooperate with the officials in the conducting of free and fair elections. He stated that in case of complaints, documentary proof is required.
The reason for such heavy deployment of forces was because of complaints received from the people in the district, he said, and made it clear that giving or accepting gifts/cash is an offence under section 171 B of the IPC.
Commenting on the Congress' allegation that a newspaper was distributing money in the district through vehicles, the CEO said that all vehicles, including those of press, police and others, would be checked to avoid any repetition of such incidents.
The CEO said that E-Seva services were being utilized for issuing Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to voters who have already already enrolled.
In all, 700 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would be required in view of the large number of contestants, said Bhanwar Lal, and added that for each polling station, 3 balloting units for the Lok Sabha elections and 2 balloting units for the Assembly elections are required. He further revealed that all the election material had already been supplied to the District Election Officer.
Special Executive Magisterial powers have been conferred on the Sub Divisional Magistrates of the Kadapa and the Pulivendula constituencies, and 219 other sectoral officers, to exercise powers under sections 129, 133, 143, 144, 174, 4, and 176 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in their respective jurisdictions. (INN)