DC warns action against poll code of conduct violators

Dist admn plans awareness programmes on exercising franchise

With announcement of Assembly election dates, Chikmagalur Deputy Commissioner P Yashwanth called a district-level meeting of the officers on Thursday and directed to make preparations to conduct a free and fair election in the district.

The election code of conduct is in force and the district administration should not allow to organise any official programmes. All the meetings, campaigns and processions will be video rerecorded during the polls. The Central Election Commission will appoint an observer to each of the assembly constituencies.

Disciplinary actions will be taken against the government employees if they are found to be involved in any of the political activities. Arrangements will be made to give permissions from all the departments concerned to the political meetings and programmes, at one place rather than visiting to different departments seeking permission, the DC said.

Zilla Panchayat CEO  P Shivashankar said that publicity programmes have begun to bring awareness among the voters to add their names in the voters list and compulsorily franchise their votes, so as to increase the poll percentage. The process will involve the co-operation of various departments and non-governmental organisations, he said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner K P Honakeri, Assistant Commissioner Dr Prashanth and others were present.

Taluk level meeting

N R Pura Tahsildar J Krishnamurthy too convened the meeting of the taluk-level officers to make preparations for the election. He directed the officers not to give permission for any political parties to convene meetings at the guest house in the taluk limits. Ban will be imposed on fixing the flags and buntings of political parties on the government buildings in gram panchayat and town panchayat limits.

The political parties should obtain permission from the local administration to fix flags and buntings on private buildings and houses. All parties should not be allowed to convene meetings in one place in the same time. An FIR should be filed if the violation of code of conduct is found. One can contact the control room at 08266-220128 for any information on election, he said.