Telangana polls: Voters information slips distribution to begin from November 10

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vikas Raj has said that the distribution of voter information slips will begin in the State after November 10, 2023. Booth Level Officers (BLO) would distribute the slips only to registered voters, he said.

Vikas Raj held a meeting with all political parties on Wednesday to appraise the procedure to be followed and the instructions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to be complied with for the elections.

During the meeting, Vikas Raj said, "The last date for filing of nominations is nearing completion. The papers will be scrutinised by the Returning Officers (RO) concerned. At the time of scrutiny, four persons will be allowed inside for each candidate which includes the candidate, their election agent, one proposer and one other person duly authorised in writing by the candidate."

Explaining about the withdrawal procedure, the CEO said that the candidates or their proposers should submit their withdrawal to the RO. He added that the list of star campaigners should be submitted within seven days from the date of notification for the election and that list must be capped at 40.

Vikas Raj asked all the political parties to submit three copies of the manifesto in English and Telugu languages to the CEO's office within three days from its release along with a declaration that the programme, policies and promises made therein were in consonance of the rules.

Informing about the Suvidha portal, he said, "It is for the convenience of stakeholders for permissions and nominations and as many as 10,760 permissions were given till date in Suvidha Portal." Referring to pre-certification of advertisements, Vikas Raj said that registered National and State political parties along with every candidate must apply for certification of political advertisement not later than three days prior to the date of the proposed commencement of the telecast of the advertisement.

"In the case of any other person or unregistered political parties, it should not be later than 7 days prior to the date of the telecast. So far, 36 approvals have been given at the State level.

"Since January 1, around 43.21 lakh forms have been approved, 45.6 lakh EPICs printed and 33.43 lakh EPICs were delivered by the Department of Posts. All EPICs printing will be completed by November 15," Vikas Raj said.

The CEO advised citizens to make use of the cVigil app to bring violations of MCC to the notice of the Election Commission. As many as 3,205 complaints were received through the app till date and as many as 1,961 cases were found correct by ROs and disposed of, he informed.

In the meeting, Vikas Raj also narrated the procedure regarding allotment of symbols, seating arrangements to be made for polling agents, mock poll, tender votes, challenged votes, postal ballot, safety and security arrangement. He asked all the political parties and the candidates filing nominations to cooperate with ROs to comply with the procedures, rules and instructions issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to complete the elections in a fair and peaceful manner.

Additional CEO Lokesh Kumar, Joint CEO Sarfraj Ahmad and deputy CEO M Satyavani were also present at the meeting.