Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Dec 25: Public campaigning for the by-elections being held in the eight assembly constituencies of the state will end today evening, at 5 pm. In a terse missive, the Election Commission has asked non-voters, political leaders and others to leave these constituencies by the evening of Thursday December 25 without fail. It has warned of punitive measures if these instructions are violated.
The local, state and national level leaders of political parties have been making last-minute efforts to woo the voters to their side. The candidates can undertake door-to-door campaigning on Friday December 26, as voting will be held on Saturday December 27.
The Commission has also asked the concerned not to provide accommodation for the people other than those appointed for election duties, in lodges, hotels, marriage halls etc. The deputy commissioners of these districts as well as the superintendents of police have been entrusted with the responsibilities to ensure that undesirable elements do not overstay in the constituencies after the deadline.
Madhugiri deputy superintendent of police Channabasappa, against whom complaints of dereliction of duty were received, has been transferred. In his place, Mir Arif Ali has been posted.
A municipal councillor who was found to be violating the model code of conduct by transporting campaign materials in a vehicle, was arrested at Madhugiri. The vehicle in question has been seized. Another vehicle which used to show video films through television mounted over it without obtaining permission, has also been seized by the Madhugiri police, informed state Chief Election Commissioner M N Vidyashankar.
Huge quantity of liquor found being transported in vehicles for being distributed to the voters, was also seized by the police from Karwar, Ankola, Devagiri and Koragagere. The value of liquor so seized is about a crore of rupees, he revealed. A total of 111 vehicles have so far been confiscated for illegal electioneering without permission, he added.
On the allegations that the government had asked Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd not to enforce power cuts in the constituencies which are facing polls, the Commission has sought a report from the engineer of the company. There have been complaints, that the government has violated the model code of conduct by resorting to this means to wean away voters to its side.
On Wednesday, ex-prime minister H D Deve Gowda, MP Anant Kumar, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, BJP candidate from Karwar and state minister Anand Asnotikar and several other leaders took part in electioneering briskly, in view of the approaching deadline.