Ramakanth Reddy warns of action

Warangal: Auctioning of Sarpanch or Ward Members or other similar posts is illegal and a crime and severe action would be taken against those individuals involved in these cases as per the election code of conduct, averred State Election Commissioner P Ramakanth Reddy. He revealed that in such cases under IPC 171 B & E and Gram Panchayat Act, 1994 which would treat it as a bribe (under relevant sections), cases would be slapped against the individuals responsible for the auctioning of the Sarpanch or other similar posts. He reviewed the arrangements being made for the local bodies' polls with district Collector G Kishan, Joint Collector P S Pradyumna and ITDA Project Officer Sarfaraz Ahmed in Hanamkonda on Sunday. SEC clarified that election code of conduct implemented by the Central Election Commission would also apply in the state elections. He directed the officials to issue the caste certificates on priority to the contestants. Ramakanth Reddy directed the booth level polling officers to give the voter slips to each and every voter at least couple of days before the actual day of polls. He clarified that voters should carry the voter identity card along with them when they come to cast their votes. He said that only three supporters would be allowed at the filing of the nomination by the candidates. He asked the district officials to deploy adequate number of police officials at the polling stations and focus on safety of visiting leaders. District Collector G Kishan informed that arrangements were made for the elections to 962 Gram Panchayats and 9,774 ward members election in the district. ZP CEO Anjaneyulu, DRO Sheshadri, DPO D S Naik and others took part in the meeting.