The Elections Department has issued notices to five candidates contesting the Assembly elections, on charges of paid news. An inquiry will soon be initiated and action taken if the charges are proved, District Electoral Officer and Collector G. Ragesh Chandra said here on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Chandra elaborated on the measures taken against violations of the model code of conduct and the preparations for the polling day. According to him, voting machines that would be used for polling in 651 booths had been sealed and stored in eight strong rooms. All booths would be connected through webcasting technology and monitored throughout the polling day by officials. Unlike previous elections when the polling started at 7 a.m., Mr. Chandra said that polling for the current elections would begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
