Catch candidates wooing voters with cash, gifts

Visakhapatnam: Election Commission of India Special Expenditure Observer Gopal Mukherjee said that he has information that the contestants in the elections are distributing cash, electronic appliances, liquor and various sops to woo the voters in Visakhapatnam district.

He directed the officials to be very careful and catch the candidates who are influencing the voters with cash and other incentives and gifts. The Election Commission of India would disqualify the contestants from the elections, if allegations proved, he added.

Gopal Mukherjee convened a review meeting with Election Returning Officer and Collector K Bhaskar, Commissioner of Police Mahesh Chandra Laddah, Superintend of Police (Rural) A Babujee and other senior officials here on Tuesday.Speaking in the meeting, he directed the officials to check the stocks of electronic appliances at the showrooms and at their godowns.

He asked the officials to prepare the poll expenditure reports over the rallies, public meetings and road shows. A document on the expenditure details should also be send to the Election Commission of India, he directed the officials.

Mukherjee also asked the officials to check the paid articles and broadcasting news items favouring the candidates. He directed the staff to record the advertisements being telecast in the news channels.

While responding in the meeting, Collector Bhaskar informed that the administration has made arrangements to receive the complaints about the money and other gift items to be distributed to the voters.