Poll panel slaps notices on CM, KPCC president

The Election Commission has served notices on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwara for their alleged derogatory remarks against BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda.

Briefing reporters here on Friday, Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha said that the Election Commission had received complaints from the BJP and the JD(S) leaders for the “uncharitable” remarks by Siddaramaiah and Parameshwara. These allegations would be looked into, he said and urged the parties to refrain from making personal attacks.

“Political parties can comment on policy matters, but personal attacks should not be encouraged,” said Jha.

Cash seized

Jha said raids across the State in view of the Lok Sabha elections yielded a large amounts of cash and liquor in the last 24 hours.

As much as Rs 85.5 lakh in cash was seized at Appachchi Wadi of Chikkodi taluk in Belgaum district. In this connection, five persons with a vehicle have been arrested.

At Bagewadi in Bijapur, the flying squad seized a haul of Rs nine lakh along with 63 gunny bags of maize. In Bangalore Rural district, cash of Rs 3.63 lakh and in Talpadi, Mangalore, Rs 2.9 lakh in cash were seized.
The Excise department’s flying squad in Raichur seized liquor worth Rs two lakh, while in Bellary 692 bottles of liquor were taken confiscated.

“So far, Rs 8.11 crore worth  of materials have been seized, including cash of Rs 4.85 crore and liquor worth Rs 2.12 crore,” said Jha.

Paid holiday

Jha told reporters that traders, shops and establishments have to close their business for a day on account of elections on April 17. Any complaints regarding non-compliance of the direction will be dealt with seriously.
“As per Section 135 (b) of the Representation of People’s Act, every voter should be facilitated to exercise his franchise. Preventing anybody from exercising his voting rights will be taken seriously,” said Jha.

Speaking about relaxation for those on election duty, Jha said women expecting a child, feeding their babies, polling staff having medical complications or any other emergency at home can be exempted from election duty. “Relaxation will be given to the most deserving person,” he added.