Election Code provides a level playing field to all: Jt CEO

Hyderabad: Telangana State Joint Chief Electoral Officer (Jt CEO) Ravi Kiran Tirumala said the Election Commission is taking all measures to curb money and liquor flow, paid news and hate speeches in the run up to the Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

During live discussion on All India Radio News today, Ravi Kiran cautioned that stringent action is being initiated against those violating the model code of conduct.

He informed that ECI has laid down detailed guidelines on Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections and any violation of the same by Political parties, Candidates or Media would attract appropriate action as per procedure. The MCC had come into force with the release of Lok Sabha Election schedule on March 10th.

The aim of election code is to provide level–playing field to all political parties and candidates during elections. Jt CEO informed that Flying Squad Teams and Static Survelliance Teams are working across the State to apprehend those violating the Code. In addition such Teams, he urged the citizens to download and use the C-VIGIL APP to report on violations of model code of conduct in the State. ECI is regularly monitoring complaints on the C-VIGIL App and Teams are being dispatched within 100 minutes to take action. Alternatively, people can call on Toll Free No 1950 and report violations they come across.

Referring to use of Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp etc ie social media by political parties and candidates, to influence voters, Jt CEO said that ECI has put in place monitoring committees at district and state levels to check abuse of social media.

As part of SVEEP activities on Voter awareness, mock pollings are being conducted in all the polling booths in the State of Telangana under "Chunav Patasala". Over 1 crore letters were sent to citizens from CEO, Telangana, detailing the various methods by which citizens can enroll themselves and also can check on their status of enrollment for voting this elections.

The discussion programme was conducted by the Regional News Unit of All India Radio, Hyderabad.