HYDERABAD: The State Election Commission (SEC) has said that the allotment of the `two leaves' symbol to an independent candidate in ward 26 of the Pithapuram Municipality is incorrect.

The SEC in a clarification on Sunday to the election officer of the municipality asked him to rectify the mistake and make available free symbol notified by the Commission. It was dealing with an issue concerning ward 26 of Pithapuram Municipality where an independent candidate was allotted the `two leaves' symbol, which was reserved for the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). It clarified that the symbol reserved for a registered political party shall be allotted to the candidate set up by that party only on production of required Form A and Form B within the stipulated time and in the manner prescribed. Such reserved symbol shall not be allotted to any independent candidate.

The SEC has directed Collectors and district election authorities to authorise an experienced and efficient district officer for each municipality and Nagar Panchayat for the conduct of the election of chairperson and vice-chairpersons of the civic body. It also made it clear that under the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities (conduct of election of chairperson and vice-chairperson) Rules 2005, a special meeting of the newly-elected ward members would be held in the office of the Municipality and Nagar Panchayat by a gazetted officer authorised by the Collector. The SEC directed the candidates or their agents to submit the expenditure accounts to the designated officers on September 12, 15, 18, 21 and 23. The observers were asked to inspect all the accounts on the said dates.

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