Officials to be involved in the forthcoming local body polls should clearly understand poll-related norms and exhibit exemplary dedication in conducting the elections in a free and fair manner, State Election Commissioner R. Palaniswamy has said.
Dr. Palaniswamy, who had completed talks with Collectors through videoconference in connection with the local body elections, has started convening regional-level meetings with the Collectors to discuss modalities involved in conducting civic polls.
In the meeting held here on Thursday, he said the first regional-level meeting was being organised to review preparedness for the local body elections in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts. Collectors, by strictly enforcing existing regulations relating to conduct of elections, could easily ensure free and fair elections with the help of their subordinates, who should be instructed to scrupulously follow poll-related regulations.
“Though officials have got adequate experience in conducting Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, wherein only less candidates would be in fray, they should clearly understand norms to be followed during civic polls in which around 10 lakh candidates are expected to be in the battle. They should be prepared to work hard with utmost dedication,” he said.
Secretary of State Election Commission S. Palanisamy, Collectors Shilpa Prabhakar Satish of Tirunelveli, Sandeep Nanduri of Thoothukudi and Prashant M. Wadnere of Kanniyakumari, Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi district, Arun Balagopalan, Additional Collector (Revenue), B. Vishnu Chandran and Additional Director of Rural Development, Anantharaj participated in the meeting.
