Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)
Udupi, Dec 3: “Conduct gram panchayat elections on December 22 and December 27 in two stages smoothly and without lapses within the guidelines laid down by election commission,” said deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha. He was speaking after presiding over a meeting held on Wednesday to prepare for gram panchayat elections.
“Elections will be held during the first stage on December 22 in 553 booths in 67-gram panchayats in Udupi, Hebri, Byndoor and Brahmavar. 3,77,308 voters will exercise their franchise in it.
Second stage elections will be held on December 27 in 576 polling booths across 87-gram panchayats in Kundapur, Karkala and Kaup. 7,94,872 voters will vote in them. Elections will be held in 866 constituencies of 154-gram panchayats in all in the district. 3,82,528 men, 4,12,335 women and nine other voters will take part in them,” he said.
“Tahsildars should inspect all the polling booths and conduct repairs if necessary making sure that all the basic facilities are available in them and submit a report. The elections should be held following Covid-19 guidelines. 155 election officers and 166 assistant election officers are appointed. Detailed information should be provided if other staff are required,” he said.
“Inspect unexpected programmes held in gram panchayat limits and register cases against the concerned during the violation of election code of conduct. The departments of excise and the police should inspect the quantity of the sale of liquor on a daily basis,” he said.
“Gram panchayat elections should be held in an impartial manner. The concerned gram panchayats should remove publicity boards or cut-outs of political parties or persons immediately that have been found in the panchayat limits. The district panchayat CEO should take action against the respective gram panchayat PDOs if they fail to take action. Advertising in social media as a supporter of a political party or person is a violation of election code of conduct. Cases should be registered against such people,” he said to the tahsildars.
“Sensitive and very sensitive polling booths in the district should be identified. Prepare a detailed plan for deploying police personnel in them, make sure that no commotion or friction occurs in the panchayats and register cases against those who violate election code of conduct,” he said.
He directed the regional transport officer to provide vehicles necessary for elections. “All the officers should understand the details of code of conduct and perform duties accordingly,” he said.
District panchayat CEO Dr Navin Bhat, SP Vishnuvardhan, additional DC Sadashiva Prabhu, Kundapur subdivision officer Raju and officers of other departments were present.