VIJAYAWADA: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena on Wednesday said cash, narcotics and other valuables worth Rs 176 crore have been seized during extensive searches from January 1. In the three days after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force, cash, liquor and drugs worth Rs 3.39 crore were seized, he said, at a press conference at the State Secretariat.
Clarifying that participation of government employees, contract staff and volunteers in political programmes is against MCC guidelines, Meena said that 46 volunteers and contract employees have been removed based on complaints, and criminal cases were also registered against some of them.
Asserting that steps are being taken for effective implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, Meena said that 385 FIRs have been registered for violation of MCC in the past three days. Noting that efforts are being made to ensure that there is no repolling in the upcoming elections, the CEO said that some violent incidents took place in Giddalur, Allagadda and Macherla recently.
He said that the SPs of Prakasam, Nandyal, and Palnadu districts will be coming to his office on Thursday to explain the reasons for the untoward incidents. Noting that complaints have been received regarding the security lapses at the public meeting attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Palnadu, he said the issue will be dealt with by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Stating that Section 144 is in force in the State, he said prior permission should be taken for any programme through the Suvidha app. So far, as many as 393 applications have been received, Meena said.
Action would be taken on the complaints lodged through the cVigil app within 100 minutes of receiving the complaint, the CEO said and mentioned that 1,173 flying squads are working for the purpose. Out of the 1,307 complaints received, 74% of them have been resolved so far, he noted, adding that efforts are being made to resolve at least 95% of complaints received through cVigil.
ECI to decide on deferment of DSC exam
The CEO urged people to make use of the app extensively to curb electoral malpractices.
Noting that candidates are sending emails to his office regarding the DSC examinations from March 30—with some seeking its postponement and others against such a move— the CEO said that the proposals from the Education Department related to its conduct will be sent to the Election Commission of India through the State-level steering committee and further steps will be taken based on the decision by the poll body.
Asked about objections to the ‘glass dialogue’ in the upcoming ‘Ustaad Bhagat Singh’ movie, the CEO responded, “I haven’t seen the movie teaser yet, but if they have shown/advertised the ‘Tea Glass’ in the teaser, we’ll consider it as a political advertisement. In that case, we will send notices to the team.”
Additional Chief Electoral Officer MN Harendhira Prasad explained how the CVigil app works. Additional CEO P Koteswara Rao was also present.
