Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Officials flouting EC guidelines: BJP

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM: The city committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party regretted that though registration of voters for the revived Legislative Council graduates' constituency would conclude in a few days, officials receiving the applications were not following the notices issued by the Election Commission.

They were insisting on enclosing a copy of the original degree certificate with the application and production of proof of residence, BJP in-charge of enrollment of voters J. Prudhviraj said at a press conference here on Saturday.

Not accepting the applications of others was also a reason for the low turnout of voters for registration, he said adding that the political parties were trying to enrol as many voters as possible while the Government was keeping quiet.

Till Friday evening, District Revenue Officer who is the Electoral Registration Officer for the Visakhapatnam graduates constituency (covering Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts) received only 34,042 applications. Among them about 13,000 were received in Srikakulam district, around 6,000 in Vizianagaram district and the remaining in Visakhapatnam district.

`Objectionable'

The BJP criticised two corporate colleges, noted for EAMCET and IIT coaching and having branches all over the State, for reportedly telling their students to get their parents and others enrolled as voters and declaring a holiday on Friday for the purpose.

These colleges wanted to have their representatives in the Legislative Council to air their views and there was no objection if they made the efforts on their own. But engaging students for enrolling was highly objectionable, Mr. Prudhviraj said.

BJP would stage dharnas in front of the colleges and also the Collectorate if the colleges did not stop engaging their students for registration, he said. A complaint would be filed with the Election Commission against the colleges.

Deadline: An advocate P. Booth Tucker, who announced his candidature for Visakhapatnam graduates' constituency, wanted the last date for registration of voters extended by at least 10 days in view of the heavy rains and floods in several districts. November 6 is the last date for registration.

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