Hyderabad: The exact position about allowing the election agents of candidates contesting the Legislative Council poll into the polling stations would be known by Wednesday evening. Instructions in this regard are awaited from the Election Commission and the same would be informed to the contestants, said MCH commissioner Sanjay Jaju.

He was addressing the contestants and their agents at the voter awareness programme organised at Hari Hara Kala Bhavan here on Tuesday.

A piquant situation had arisen in view of the large number of 57 candidates from the Graduates constituency (Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Mahabubnagar districts) in fray. Each candidate was permitted to have an election agent. It was not possible to allow 57 agents in the polling station. "It is a question of logistics," Mr. Jaju said.

There were heated arguments between the contestants and officials when C.R. Brahmam, consultant, GAD, Elections, informed that only election agents of political parties would be allowed inside and the agents of Independents would be allowed by rotation. "It is nothing but discrimination. The elections are not fought on party basis. Therefore, all contestants are equal," the candidates argued.

Mr. Jaju assured that depending on the size and location of the polling station the presiding officers would take a decision. Canvassing for the polls would end by 4 p.m on March 15. Issue of TV scrolls or newspaper advertisement after this period would not be allowed, Mr. Jaju said. He said the Corporation would take action as per rules for defacement of public walls. All the banners and posters would be removed and the bill sent to the candidates.

Voting for the council was not the same as Assembly and Parliament. Here the election was by means of a single transferable vote.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail