EC censures PCC chief for poll code violation

HYDERABAD: The Election Commission of India on Tuesday reprimanded PCC president D Srinivas for seeking votes based on caste during a meeting in Nizamabad.
A notice was issued to D Srinivas based on the complaint of Telangana Jagruti president K Kavita, who alleged that D Srinivas appealed for votes taking his caste name. The PCC president sent his reply directly to the ECI in New Delhi.The EC after examination of the explanation given by D Srinivas decided to censure him for violation of model code of conduct. The CEO I V Subba Rao sent the copy of the same to PCC president.
Meanwhile, in an effort to dispel doubts being raised by the political parties on the functioning of the electronic voting machines, the CEO I V Subba Rao said that the party leaders can check the EVMs any number of times during the randomisation of the machines.
Speaking to the reporters on Tuesday, I V Subba Rao said that the randomisation of the machines will be taken up at the district head quarters once the process of setting names to the ballot unit is completed. He said that no one will know which machine will be used in which constituency, the machine allotment will be done on random basis. The CEO held a review meeting with the director general, law and order, regarding the security measures.
Rao said that 14 of the 80 companies of the central forces had already arrived in the districts where polls are to be held.
The CEO said that the EC would require about 3000 ballot boxes (big size) and it is in the process of procuring them. Training for the polling staff will be taken up between July 17 to 21. All the polling stations will be videographed. About 300 micro observers are on their duties and will be closely monitoring the candidates, he said.