Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Mar 18: It has been a regular phenomenon in every election, be it for electing members for the assembly or Lok Sabha, for some dummy candidates to file nominations and later enter into some understanding with candidates fielded by political parties and then withdraw their candidature in support of that candidate and involve with campaigning for his or her victory. The election commission has decided to cry halt to this practice and warned that stern action would be taken against such dummy candidates.

Speaking at a press conference convened here on Tuesday March 17 after meeting political parties, state Chief Election Officer M N Vidyashankar said the Election Commission has decided to crack the whip this time in view of the mushrooming of dummy candidates witnessed in the previous election.

"The electoral expenditure of the dummy candidates will be added to the expenditures of the candidates for whom they canvass. We will take action against them, supported with evidences and proofs," he explained.

"In the meeting held today with the representatives of seven political parties, director general of police (DGP), additional DGP Infant and police officer Jayprakash, discussions on strictly implementing the code of conduct, election expenditures of political parties and their candidates etc., were held. The cooperation of the concerned was solicited for holding the election in a peaceful and orderly manner," Vidyashankar explained.

The workers of political parties will henceforth have to obtain prior permission from the election officer of the area besides the local body before hoisting flags or buntings on their homes. If the election materials cost more than ten rupees are used, the same would be included in the election expenditure of the concerned candidate, he revealed. Every political party, before sending consignment of publicity materials from one district to other districts, need to furnish information thereof to the Election Commission. Accounts of expenditure will have to be maintained from the day the nomination is filed, he explained.

"Results of exit polls can be published only after the completion of the entire election process," he clarified. So far, 13 cases of poll code violation have been registered including six in Shimoga alone, he informed. The other districts from where the cases have been reported are Mandya and Ramanagar (two each), Dakshina Kannada, Bangalore Rural and Haveri, from which one case each were reported.