Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Dec 12: The State Election Commission has issued a notice to the state government, asking it to furnish details of various schemes sanctioned to the districts in which by-polls are being held later this month, after the model code of conduct became operational.

Giving this information to newsmen here on Thursday December 11, State Chief Election Commissioner M N Vidyashankar said that the commission has received a complaint from the JD(S), saying that the government had announced drinking water projects for 1,370 villages located in  Mandya and Raichur districts in which by-elections are slated to beheld, at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore. Accordingly, details have been sought from the government, he briefed.

Karwar sub-divisional officer Vijay Mahantesh, who worked as the returning officer for Karwar constituency in the previous assembly election, was recently replaced by the government. As the Congress party expressed itself against this move, the new incumbent was shifted and Fatima has been posted as the assistant returning officer. She took charge on Thursday, Vidyashankar said.

"There are allegations that a relative of one of the ministers is working as the electoral officer in Doddaballapur. We have collected report from the district returning officer and sent the same to the Central Election Commission. We will act as soon as directions are received from them," he said. However, the commission found no substance in a complaint that the deputy superintendent of police in Madhugiri was the relative of a local candidate, he informed.

The observers posted by the central election commission to the eight constituencies will take charge on Friday December 12, he said, adding that the commission is taking additional measures to ensure that the elections in four constituencies where ministers are contesting are held impartially.