Election Monitoring Committee chairman Ambati Lakshmana Rao, on Saturday, called upon all political parties to cooperate with the committee in conducting the upcoming by-elections in a "liquor-free" environment.
Talking to media persons in the city, Lakshmana Rao said that the by-polls would become a role model for the rest of country if they were conducted in a liquor-free environment.
He urged voters to reject candidates who try to lure them with liquor and money, and to elect honest persons with a good educational background.
Stating that there was no need of election monitoring committees if all parties follow the model code of conduct strictly, he asked the parties to take steps to uphold democratic values in their respective campaigns.
He asked the Election Commission of India to take measures towards the conduct of the by-polls in a free and fair manner. (INN)