Ahead of primaries, Congress warns candidates against influencing voters

Disciplinary action including disqualification from contesting elections will be taken against candidates if they try to influence voters with cash or kind ahead of the Congress primaries for Bangalore North Lok Sabha constituency.

Addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Saturday Congress Lok Sabha Returning Officers (LROs), Jaspreet Singh and Nitin Kumbalkar, who will be conducting the primaries, said they have not received any complaints so far. However, any attempt to influence the voters would be dealt with strictly, they said.

The primaries for Bangalore North constituency is witnessing stiff competition with at least ten candidates, including senior leaders B L Shankar, C Narayanaswamy, V Muniyappa and former MLA N L Narendrababu in fray. The winner of the primaries will be given the Congress ticket to contest from Bangalore North. The primaries are scheduled to be held on March 13.

The LROs said draft voters list for the primaries will be published on March 5. The voters for the primaries will include elected representatives from the party and affiliated organisations, office bearers of the party, AICC and KPCC delegates, among others who are residing in the constituency.

March 7 is the last date for receiving nomination for the primaries. Nominations cannot be withdrawn but objections to nominations can be raised, the last date for which is March 8. The candidates can canvas for three days between March 10 and 12, they said

On election day (March 13), a convention will be held before the primaries, wherein each candidate will be given 10 minutes to present their point of view to all voters.  At the end of the convention, the voters will vote to choose their candidate for the Lok Sabha election (voting will be through secret ballot and preferential voting system will be followed), they said. The venue for the convention is yet to be decided, they added.