Withdrawal of poll cases upsets EC

State Chief Electoral Officer C S Suranjan told reporters in Chittapur on Monday that the State, though had powers to withdraw the election malpractice cases, has neither consulted nor informed the commission. As per the EC’s direction Saikh Shafi has been appointed as special advocate to file objections in the court. In all, 17 cases of violation of model code of conduct have been reported and Chittapur topped the list with 10 cases.

He said each bypoll would cost about Rs 35 lakh and about 15,000 personnel have been drafted for the duty. He said, central forces will not be used for the bypolls.