The Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rajat Kumar announced on Saturday, October 6, that polling in Telangana would commence on December 7 and would be completed in single phase. He said that the counting of votes would commence on December 11 and added that the Election Commission of India will issue a gazette notification on November 12.
Briefing the press at the state secretariat at Hyderabad, the CEO explained that all the sections of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) would now be in force across the state. “A 24/7 control room will be set-up and more lines will be added to the 1950 helpline number. Mobile and static squads will be deployed to monitor MCC violations. The Hyderabad Police Commissioner has informed that Rs 1 crore in cash was seized on Friday. We are also coordinating with the I-T department in monitoring high-value transactions.”
The CEO announced the addition of an additional CEO V Saida to review enforcement of MCC guidelines and added that the additional staff were being engaged for the elections.
Replying to queries on social media, Rajat Kumar emphasised that action would be taken based on complaints in coordination with the cybercrime cell and the MCMC committee was maintaining a close vigil on print and broadcast media.
The Dr. Rajat Kumar concluded the briefing by reiterating that other restraints on campaigning such as the ban between 10 pm-6am, defacement of public and private property, misuse of government vehicles and misuse of public spaces, would be in force from Saturday.