Gearing Up For Telangana Assembly Polls: Chief Electoral Officer

Hyderabad: Telangana State Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar announced that the preparations for conducting the Assembly polls were underway. He said that the Election Commission was trying to create awareness among the voters in all Villages with the help of District Collectors and Officers.

Rajat Kumar said that under the presence of members from all political parties, the EVM machines were being tested. The Officer clarified that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) was making constant observations on the preparations, and that the elections should be conducted within six months from the date of dissolution of the government. However, the final decision on holding the polls would be taken by the CEC, he said.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that before September 18, the EVMs and the VVPATs would be transported to the districts. "In the meeting with the CEC, the issues pertaining to law & order and safety were reviewed. The police department is taking security measures across all booths across the State. The booth level officers will visit all police stations in Telangana," Rajat Kumar said.

Naxal Infected Areas

Rajat Kumar said that the CEC recognized seven districts in Telangana as naxal infected districts. The Commission will keep a close watch on expenditure during the elections, in addition to taking all precautionary measures for minimizing the influence of money, he added.

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