TS Polls: CEO Rajat Kumar called for an all-party meeting

As a first, Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajat Kumar called an all party meeting on Friday. The Commission will discuss in detail the issues raised by the parties and also seek their cooperation for the conduct of hassle-free elections. The Commission will also hold a meeting with all Returning Officers and police officials before the notification is issued.

Officials said that the CEO was holding regular video conferences with District Collectors, Superintendent of Police (SPs) and District Election Officers (DEOs) and has been reviewing the arrangements being made for the submission of the affidavits and B-Forms by the contestants after issuing notification on November 12.

Candidates facing criminal cases told to publish declaration in a proper format Meanwhile, the CEO said that it was mandatory for every contesting candidate, who is facing criminal cases, should publish the declaration in the following manner.

The candidates should publish the declaration in the C-1 format giving information about all criminal cases against them. Political parties, which field such candidates, shall publish the declaration in C-2 format giving information about criminal cases against their candidates. The declaration should be published at least on three different dates from the day following the last date for withdrawal of candidature and up to two days before the date of poll. The declaration should be published in widely circulated newspapers and aired on television in the constituency concerned.

The official said such political parties should also put up the declaration in C-2 format on their website. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has intensified efforts for the conduct of Assembly elections in a free and fair manner as the issuance of notification is left only three days on November 12.