HYDERABAD: Ninety-eight contestants filed nominations for the Secunderabad Cantonment Board elections on Thursday. Returning officer T Vittal received 152 sets of nominations from the contestants on the first day of nominations.
Most of the candidates, Jampana Pratap, Bhanuka Mallikarjun and Ramakrishna, chose to file their nominations on Thursday which was considered auspicious. Interestingly, all the candidates filed their nominations without any pomp. Usually, candidates would go in processions to file nominations. Local MP, MLA and top leaders of various parties would accompany them to show their support. But no such scenes were witnessed on Thursday.
When Malkajgiri MP Malla Reddy and TDP Assembly floor leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao tried to enter the SCB office while accompanying Ragbir Singh, a contestant from Ward 1, they were not allowed to enter the premises. With officials putting their foot down, some politicians expressed displeasure.
“Only the candidate filing the nomination and another person supporting him are allowed into the office. No other person should accompany them. A large convoy of vehicles is also not allowed while going to file nominations. Just three four-wheelers are allowed. We have engaged videographers to record and monitor nomination-filing,” returning officer T Vittal said.
Besides the SCB staff, about 1,000 employees will be deputed from various government departments as polling personnel and 187 polling booths will be set up in eight wards. One polling officer and three assistant polling officers will be deployed at every polling centre during elections. Nominations will be filed on Friday, the last day for filing nominations.