District Collector C.T. Manimekalai has said that bribing the voters is an offence, and if proved, both the givers and takers of such inducements would be liable to undergo three-year jail term.
The Collector was addressing the polling officials on the election procedures to be followed and action to be taken for violation of the Model Code of Conduct here on Monday.
She said that mobilisation of voters and impersonation at the polling stations would also be treated as a severe offence and would be accordingly dealt with. The Model Code of Conduct had come into force from the day of the announcement of the election schedule for the local bodies.
Hence, there should not be any government functions for giving away welfare assistance and inauguration of development projects till the poll process was completed. The Ministers and the elected representatives of the local bodies should not use official cars for the poll campaign, she said.
The candidates should abide by the directions of the police in terms of organising public meetings, processions and putting up campaign materials. They should inform the police in advance about the procession route and get prior permission for the same. Canvassing in the places of worship was banned and the candidates should desist from levelling any personal charges against the political leaders. Defacement of public property was also prohibited and the polling officials would closely watch the poll activities of the political parties.
