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Saturday, May 10, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

EC bans government ads

Special Correspondent

But says Congress can issue them at its own cost

HYDERABAD: Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao has barred the State government from issuing advertisements highlighting the various schemes like Jalayagnam, Indiramma, free power and old age pensions in the context of byelections.

He, however, said these kind of ads could be issued at the cost of Congress party as part of its campaign.

Mr. Rao also clarified that only three vehicles forming convoy of the contestant could be allowed within the 100-metre radius of the office of the returning officer while filing nominations. Any additional vehicle used would be counted to calculate candidate’s expenditure.

He said electronic voting machines would be displayed at MRO offices in the 10 districts where the byelections were in the offing, from May 12 to 27 to educate voters on using them on the polling day.

Presiding officers would be not allowed inside the “voting compartment” on the plea to explain the functioning of the EVMs to voters unless accompanied by polling agents of candidates. The presiding officer would be severely punished if he flouted this rule.

Meanwhile, 19 more candidates filed their nominations in the Assembly constituencies on Thursday, and eight in the Parliamentary constituencies.

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