Poll Campaign Ends on Saturday in Telangana
HYDERABAD:The high-decibel campaigning, involving loudspeakers and jarring DJs, traffic-jamming road shows and vitriolic public meetings, all ended at 6 pm from Saturday, beginning of the long weekend ahead of polling on Monday. Canvassing vehicles also went off roads as the campaign period.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vikas Raj on Saturday said they kept a close vigil on regular issues like seizure of cash, liquor, gold, drugs and freebies and the total seizure crossed Rs 186 crore in Telangana state. The EC has served notices on 13 political party leaders seeking explanations including allowing children in poll campaigns including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tour in Telangana state and had muted former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao for 48 hours.
The EVMs will reach the polling stations on Sunday evening for Monday’s polling. The 383 critical polling stations identified by the police department in Hyderabad district will be monitored by drones.
There are 15 Assembly segments in Hyderabad district and one drone each will be pressed into service for each one. On Saturday, the third randomization of the polling staff was completed. “The presiding officers (Pos), assistant presiding officers (APOs) and other staff have been assigned to polling stations,” said an official from Hyderabad district election authority.