JOIN USCode of conduct comes into force in Gundlupet, Nanjangud
With dates for the byelections to Gundlupet and Nanjangud Assembly constituencies announced, the code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect.
Byelections will be held on April 9 and the notification will be issued on March 14. The last date for filing nominations is March 21. The counting of votes will be on April 13.
While the byelection to Gundlupet was necessitated due to the death of Cooperative Minister H S Mahadev Prasad on January 3, the bypoll for the Nanjangud seat has been necessitated as V Srinivas Prasad resigned as MLA in October 2016 after he was dropped from the Siddaramaiah Cabinet.
Addressing a press meet in Chamarajanagar, Deputy Commissioner B Ramu said 1,98,879 people, including 99,155 men and 99,707 women and 17 transgenders, will exercise their franchise for the Gundlupet byelection.
The DC said the tahsildar has been directed to remove cutouts and banners of political personalities. Candidates must take prior permission to conduct meetings. Police permission should be taken to use vehicles for campaigning.
In Mysuru, Deputy Commissioner D Randeep said the model code of conduct will be in place across the district till April 15, till the entire poll process is completed.
The EC has fixed Rs 28 lakh per candidate for expenditure, said the DC.
According to the previous voters’ list, Nanjangud Assembly constituency has 2.5 lakh voters and 236 polling stations would be established. The district police have identified 72 centres as hypersensitive and 124 as sensitive.
The DC said Central paramilitary forces will help the police ensure smooth conduct of election.
Code of conduct
Randeep said the code of conduct applies to the whole district and inauguration of government programmes. Launching of new works are banned in Nanjangud constituency, he said.
Except meetings pertaining to drought, people’s representatives are not allowed to call meetings of officials as all they are deputed for election duties. During this period, no transfers are allowed and tours by ministers, including the chief minister, will be under the scanner. There should not be any overlap of election work and official work. People’s representatives cannot use official vehicles for party or election work. However, security provided to ministers will continue, he added.