SEC warns of strict action against election violations

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha on Saturday warned that officials found negligent in maintaining law and order or conducting the nomination process would face disciplinary action, including suspension or transfer. He said stringent measures were being taken to ensure that the forthcoming local body elections were conducted peacefully, transparently and impartially. Addressing a press conference at the State Election Commission office, Punetha said Dstrict Collectors, Police Commissioners, Superintendents of Police (SPs), Municipal Commissioners and election officials had been instructed to take preventive measures against violence and intimidation.

Wherever law-and-order issues had emerged, district authorities and police officers were alerted to bring the situation under control, he said. The Commissioner directed officials to provide adequate security at nomination centers and ensure strict compliance with election rules. Continuous surveillance through CCTV cameras must be maintained, and the High Court’s directions implemented without deviation. Under the prescribed rules, only the candidate and three authorized persons would be permitted inside nomination centers during the filing process.

Inspector General of Police B. Rajakumari, deputed to the State Election Commission, said elaborate police security arrangements had been made across all districts on the instructions of Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta. Sensitive, highly sensitive and critical polling areas had been identified in advance, and district SPs were taking steps to strengthen security. Police had responded promptly to recent incidents of violence, including by deploying senior officers to affected areas to assess the situation and restore order, she said.

Rajakumari added that nomination centers would have CCTV surveillance, video coverage and adequate police deployment to prevent untoward incidents. Both officials called for coordinated action by the administration and police to protect democratic values and ensure voters could exercise their franchise freely. State Election Secretary Dr A. Mallikarjuna also attended the press conference.