From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Apr 29: Films starring actors/actresses, who are candidates in the May 5 assembly polls in Karnataka, can be screened as there is no ban from the Election Commission on that.

''Films are an art medium and we cannot ban on screening films,” said State Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha.

Prominet among the candidates in the fray is: M H Ambareesh, who was a junior minister in the first Congress-led UPA regime, who is popular as ''rebel star” for his acting roles in the Kannada films starting with Kanagal Puttanna’s ''Naagara Haavu.”

Ambarish is contesting on a Congress ticket from Mandya constituency.

Another Congress candidate in the fray is Umashri, who is contesting from Teradal constituency in Bagalkot disgtrict.

The third Kannada film heroine in  the fray is Pooja Gandhi, who became widely popular with her role in ''Mungaru Male,” and is contesting from scorching Raichur as a candidate from former minister B Sriramulu’s BSR Congress.
 
“If there are any evidences or link between contesting candidate and screening of the film, then we will add the cost of screening of such film to the expenditure list of the candidate,” Jha said.

However, he made it clear that there was no blanket ban on showing films of actors who are in the poll fray.
 

Cash Seizure Touches Rs 13 Crore

Meanwhile, the total seizure of cash has crossed Rs 13 crore in the State.

In the last 24 hours, authorities have seized Rs 8.4 lakh in a KSRTC bus in Hospet in Bellary district, Rs 5 lakh in Basavanabagewadi in Bijapur, Rs 3.5 lakh in Maski in Raichur, Rs 3 lakh in Hirekur in Haveri, Rs 2 lakh in Nelamangala, the CEO said.

In the case of cash seizure, the CEO told the public to produce documents to justify their cash transaction was legal.
 
“The people should not afraid of carrying cash if it is legal,” Jha said.

''Our objective is only to check the flow of money to influence the outcome of elections,” he explained.

The Exercise Department officials have seized liquor worth Rs 75,000 in Tiptur and Rs 80,000 in Mysore.

The total number of cases registered with regard to poll code violation stood at 1,848 as on Monday, the CEO said.

A total of 45,000 persons have exercised their franchise through postal ballot during the training programme in the State, he said.

Incidentally, the Election Commission has permitted the State Legislative Assembly Secretariat to fill 19 vacancies of office attenders.

The Secretariat sought permission for filling of attenders’ posts and the commission has cleared it, Jha said.

The Assembly Secretariat office said interviews to recruit candidates would be completed on Tuesday.

A few months ago, applications had been invited for filling up 19 posts.