'Strict action against violation of model code of conduct'

Mock tests will be conducted in every Assembly constituency at the second-level checking of EVMs and VVPAT machines, to assure candidates of the proper functioning of the machines, Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth S Senthil said.

He was speaking at the meeting on Monday for representatives of political parties from Mangaluru North constituency.

About 5% of the EVMs will be randomly selected by the representatives and tested by conducting a mock voting for 1,000 votes. A mock test has been done at the first-level for 5,000 votes, he said.

'Eye on expenditures'

Mangalore North constituency (202) Returning Officer Prashant Kumar S B said that the flying squads, and the static and video surveillance teams will keep track of the expenditures of the parties and the candidates.

The candidates have to maintain the day-to-day accounts and separate bank accounts of their expenditures. Simultaneously, a schedule register with the details of their expenditure will be maintained by the surveillance teams. Election expenditure exceeding Rs 20,000 should be borne by cash only, said the officer.

There is no limit for a political party for expenditure on campaigning. However, a candidate can spend up to Rs 28 lakh.

Strict legal action will be initiated in case of violation of the model code of conduct. Parties displaying posters with their party symbol will be lodged an FIR, the officer warned.

Voter slips

The deputy commissioner said that the Election Commission will take steps to ensure that all voters get the voters' slips, which will contain the photo identification, the epic number, the polling booth number and related information. The slips will be distributed to the houses of the voters before one week of the polling date. However, the slip is not a mandatory document for voting. If the voters do not get the slip, they may avail of the same from the booth-level officers. The slips distributed by the political parties must not contain the symbol of any party or pictures of the candidates.

The voters can also check information related to their booth, including location and number on the website. http://dk.nic.in/election/ The information can also be availed of by sending a text message to the number 9731979899 in the format KAEPIC voters' id number.

The people can utilise the mobile applications 'Samadhan' and 'Suvidha', meant for single window monitoring and grievance redressal. The 'Sugam' app has been designed for personnel on election duty.

Assistant Returning Officer Mohana Kumari and Mangalore North constituency Nodal Officer Manjunath were present.