Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi(HB)
Udupi, March 11: Deputy commissioner Hephsiba Rani organised a press meet on March 11 at DC conference hall to announce the schedule of the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha election.
“On March 19, election notice will be issued. March 26 is last date to file nomination. On March 27 the scrutiny of nominations will take place and March 29 is last date to withdraw nominations. The candidates expenses should not exceed Rs 70 lacs. The election will be held on April 18 and counting process will be on April 25,” she said.
There are eight assistant returning officers (AROs) who have been appointed to monitor eight constituencies of Udupi and Chikkamagaluru. For Udupi constituency assembly Dr S S Madhukeshwar AC for Kundapur, Kempegowda, joint agri-director for Udupi, Santhosh Kumar, project director District Town Planning Cell for Karkala and L Nagaraj, DD of Food and Civil supplies department have been appointed as AROs.
For the Chikkamagaluru constituency, Nagaraj, project director, district rural development Zilla panchayat, Chikkamagaluru has been appointed ARO for Sringeri, Shivakumar K H, assistant commissioner, Chikkamagaluru for Mudigere, V S Hiremath, assistant secretary, zilla panchayat and B R Roopa, assistant commissioner Tarikere has been appointed as ARO for Tarikere.
In 2019, the total voters in Udupi and Chikkamagaluru are 14,94,443. Out of them, 7,30,288 are males and 7,64,105 are females and 50 are others. In 2014 Lok Sabha election, the total voters in Udupi and Chikkamagaluru were 13,51,245. About 1,43,198 are the additional voters registered in the past five years.
Bhaskar B has been appointed as Nodal officer to implement Model Code of Conduct in the district. “The teams are working on the duties assigned in full swing. According to the circulation, all political banners, flags should be taken down. If any illegal activities are found, the concerned team may lodge a case," the DC said.
"There is no permission to carry cash of Rs 50,000 without documents. A proper document should be presented. Otherwise the cash will be seized by the redressal committee along with the vehicles used to transport cash," she added.
Permission is compulsory for election campaigning, public meetings and family functions. Organisers should get permission from the police department for using mikes. One can use sound systems and mikes from 6 am to 10 pm.
Expenditure Monitoring Cell and Assistant Expenditure Observer have been appointed for monitoring the expenses of political parties.
There are 10,888 voters with disabilities, identified in two districts. The ECI has launched Suvidha app. With this app party's representatives, candidates and election agents can apply for various permissions for election purpose. Another app ‘Samadhan’ has been launched. This app is an online grievance registration and redressal system.
"Enrollment of new voters will be underway on but there will be no provision for deletion of names from the list. Photo voter slip is not an identity card for voting," DC added.
District Superintendent of police Nisha James said, “Media plays an important role for peaceful election. So they should be careful about telecasting or publishing news. Figures should be accurate and factual. If not so, it will affect election results. We have made all required security measures.”
Regarding rumors of naxal activities, SP said, “We have put adequate police personnel and check posts in border areas. We are planning to start combing activities, but our first priority is election,” she said.
Udupi zilla panchayat CEO Sindu Roopesh said, “Around 31,481 people have taken the benefit of SVEEP awareness campaign in 609 booths. There will be one women's booth and one booth for tribals at Soudha, in Shankaranayarana to attract voters.”
DC urged the support of media and asked citizens to join hands to make the election successful.
ADC Vidhya Kumari was present.