The Hindu

Mangalore, May 1: Deputy Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao has appointed deputy tahsildars in taluks as special executive magistrates to deal with any law and order problem in the run-up to the Assembly elections. In an official press release here on Wednesday, Mr. Rao said the magistrates would discharge their duties till May 31.

The special executive magistrate for Mangalore taluk is Vaman. The others are Raghupathi Shastri (Bantwal), Manikya (Belthangady), Soorappa Gowda (Puttur), and Jayashree (Sullia). Mr. Rao said they had been vested with the same executive powers conferred on the tahsildars, who are the taluk executive magistrates.

In a separate release, Mr. Rao said political parties and candidates contesting the elections had been banned from distributing any publicity material which contained the party symbol or photos of the candidates. Stating that any such attempt would be construed as violation of the model code of conduct, Mr. Rao warned that action would be initiated against those violating this rule.

The Election Commission has appointed Pandhari Yadav as Election Observer for the Mangalore City South Assembly Constituency. The public and representatives of political parties can meet Mr. Yadav between 9.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. He can be contacted on 2214943 or 9449002310.

The commission has appointed Raman Chopra as the Expenditure Observer for Moodbidri, Mangalore City North, Mangalore City South and Mangalore constituencies. The public, political parties and candidates can contact Mr. Chopra on 2214948 or 9449000730 if they have any grievances .