Candidates contesting the forthcoming elections to 266 gram panchayats, including 33 newly-announced GPs (after the recent reorganisation process) in Mysuru district have been proscribed from using political party symbols or pictures of political party leaders in their electioneering.
“If they defy this rule, election materials of such candidates would be confiscated and cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the model code of conduct will be booked against them,” said Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha.
At a press conference here on Monday, Ms. Shikha said a three-tier monitoring system had been introduced to check electoral malpractices and enforce the code of conduct in an effective manner. Three teams, including one headed by the respective assistant commissioner, will put into effect the code of conduct.
Ms. Shikha clarified that the code of conduct would be in force only in the respective GP limits and does not apply to town panchayats/city municipalities and city corporations.
In view of summer, drinking water schemes had been exempted from the code of conduct but the announcement and launch of new programmes had been barred in the GP limits, she announced.
Addition, deletion and correction of names in the electoral rolls was possible until the last date for filing nominations, Ms. Shikha said, adding that the voters must submit respective forms at the relevant offices at the earliest for early processing.
Elections are being held for 4,744 constituencies in 266 GPs, which had been reserved based on their population. As per the guidelines of the State Election Commission (SEC), category-wise seats have been announced and 50 percent of these seats are reserved for women.
Superintendent of Police Abhinav Khare said 364 booths had been identified as hypersensitive and 560 booths as sensitive. “This data may alter once the elections near,” she replied.
Around 2,900 police personnel would be deployed for security arrangements on polling day (May 29), Mr. Khare said, adding that there was no shortage of police personnel as the election was being conducted in two phases and personnel would be roped in from other districts.
FIRST TIME
TO POLLS
33 GPs will go for polls for the first time in Mysuru district
There is no expenditure limit on candidates contesting the GP elections
Drinking water schemes exempted from code of conduct in view of summer
