District Collector and Election Officer P. Venugopal has warned of stringent action against public representatives or candidates who provide wrong information on election expenditure.
Speaking at a meeting of returning officers, assistant returning officers, and police officials to review the preparations for the polls here on Tuesday, Mr. Venugopal said any campaign material that was installed in public places would be removed and the expenses for the action would be included in the expenditure of the candidate concerned. Similarly, the rent for putting up boards and cut-outs on private spaces would be calculated and the same would be included in the expenditure.
Private vehicles and taxis used for the campaign without the necessary passes from the returning officers concerned would be seized.
As part of security measures, the police patrolling in the district and security in sensitive areas and polling booths had been strengthened. Persons who were involved in election-related skirmishes during previous elections were being monitored and anyone who were seen attempting to create trouble would face legal action, he said.
Poll observers M. Chandrasekhar and M.A. Narmavala, Expenditure observer Aseem Khan, Superintendent of Police P.G. Ashok Kumar, Election Deputy Collector M.C. Sarasamma, and Chengannur Deputy Collector S. Harikishore were present.
