Amidst complaints about “auctioning” of some local body seats in the Usilampatti block, District Election Officer and Collector U. Sagayam made a surprise visit and interacted with the villagers here on Wednesday.
He visited Pappapatti and inquired about the progress in filing of nominations in the locality for various posts in the panchayat.
While interacting with some groups of villagers, Mr. Sagayam appealed to them to ensure that elections were conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner.
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He wanted them to identify those people who indulged in anti-democratic ways and attempted to tamper with the election process.
“Voting is a fundamental right of every citizen,” he said and urged them to exercise their votes sincerely and uphold the values of democracy.
In a unanimous tone, after listening to the Collector, the villagers assured that they would vote as per their conscience and cooperate with the officials in smooth conduct of the elections.
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Training
Earlier, Mr. Sagayam, accompanied by Superintendent of Police Asra Garg presided over a training programme for the officers designated for election duty.
From the law and order point of view, the aspects to be followed by the polling officers were spelt out in detail by Mr. Garg.
“Follow code”
The authorities should follow the code of conduct in strict adherence and violation in any form should be dealt as per the law.
For instance, the State Election Commission had categorically stated that candidates or political parties should not use a place of worship for campaign purpose. Distribution of gifts in any manner should be watched with utmost vigil and action taken.
Use of caste or other modes to woo voters should not be permitted.
No feast
Similarly, offering feasts to voters should also be kept under surveillance. Posters/bill boards should carry the details of the printing press and absence of the statutory information is liable for punishment.
By doing such pro-active steps in a transparent manner, the poll officers shall be confident of smooth conduct, Mr. Garg said.
The village administrative officers, thalayaris and revenue inspectors of the respective jurisdiction shall be present in their offices.
Any reports that they were away on some other duty would not be accepted, Mr. Sagayam told the officials.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (law and order) R. Thirunavukkarasu, District Rural Development Agency Project Director M. Prabhakaran, Madurai Division's Rural Development Training College (T. Kallupatti) Principal Selvam, PA (Elections) Varalakshmi, PRO C. Selvaraj among other officials participated, a press release said.