Contestants warned not to breach code

Abdullahpurmet: As the second phase of Gram Panchayat(GP) polls are scheduled for January 25, Abdullapurmet police on Tuesday conducted awareness programme for the contesting candidates of 17 GPs, 168 wards. MPDO Devender Reddy, MRO Vijaya, election expenditure observer Satyanarayana Reddy, CI Muni, SIs Uday Kiran and Saidi Reddy were present. Addressing the gathering, Muni appealed to the candidates to avoid untoward incidents for peaceful conduct of the polls. 

He warned of registering cases against election code violators. Once a case is filed against the said person, he would lose a chance to contest in future polls, he said. The CI also cautioned against spreading false agenda on social media on opponents which would also lead to lodging of cases against the culprits.Distribution of money to voters is a serious offence under the code of conduct.Sleuths of intelligence, counter-intelligence were observing the candidates and four shadow teams were deployed in each village. 

MPDO said that the poll will be held from 7 am to 1 pm and counting will begin from 2 pm and election of upasarpanch will be held on the same day. He said that each and every candidate should campaign within the allotted poll symbol and legal action would be taken on those who abused their opponents.

 The MPDO said that as many as 53 candidates were contesting 17 GPs and all of them should submit their details of expenditure within days from the conduct of polls, those who failed to do so will be disqualified to contest in future elections. 
According to him, the maximum expenditure limit for the candidate is Rs 2.5 lakh (Major GP), Rs one lakh (Minor GP), Rs 50,000 (major ward member) and Rs 30,000 (minor ward member). 

The MPDO also said that all transactions should be made through bank accounts only. Only sarpanch candidates will be allowed to enter counting hall at the time of counting for sarpanch seats and the same is applicable to ward member candidates. Candidates who won as ward members should be there in the counting hall only, he advised. Devender Reddy said that severe action will be taken on candidates who crossed the expenditure limit. 

The campaign will end by the evening of January 23 and distribution of liquor will not be allowed. He advised them to consult the officer at the counting hall for any 
information.