The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : EC restricts processions for filing nominations

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Sunday, May 04, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

EC restricts processions for filing nominations

HYDERABAD: Candidates planning to take out massive rallies for filing their nominations beware. The Election Commission has decided to allow only four persons to accompany the contesting candidate while filing the nomination.

The commission will view any violation of this seriously and the nomination will be rejected, Chief Electoral Officer I.V. Subba Rao said. At an all-party meeting convened here on Saturday, Mr. Subba Rao told political representatives that a convoy of three vehicles would be permitted for the candidates and all other vehicles accompanying them should be at least 100 metres away from the venue of filing nominations.

The returning officers had been asked to enforce the rule strictly and action would be initiated against those officials who were found guilty of not implementing the rules strictly. In addition, it was decided to constitute enforcement squad at constituency level to monitor the election proceedings in the 10 districts going to polls.

Special cells

The two-member squads comprising an official each from the Revenue and the Police departments would report about the irregularities whenever they occur. Efforts were underway to set up special cells at all district headquarters to receive complaints of poll malpractices and returning officers had been asked to file their reports on a regular basis.

Nadendla Manohar and B. Kamalakar Rao of the Congress, Tammineni Sitaram and A. Revanth Reddy (TDP), K. Lakshman (BJP) and V. Ramanarsimha Rao (CPI) were among those who attended the meeting.

The representatives urged the CEO to prevent incidents like booth capturing and snatching away of the ballot boxes, while steps should be taken to prevent electors from pouring ink into the ballot boxes.

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Andhra Pradesh