ECI warns Telangana Chief Secretary over model code of conduct in Biennial elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has cautioned Somesh Kumar Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana to exercise due care in the conduct of ongoing biennial elections to the Telangana Legislative Council as expected from the officer of his stature.

The Commission has also directed the Chief Secretary to issue a formal and recordable warning and displeasure of the Commission to C Sudarshan Reddy, Secretary Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) and Aravind Kumar, Special Chief Secretary, MA&UD for a clear violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The biennial elections for 12 seats of the Telangana Legislative Council from nine local authorities' constituencies will take place on December 10 this year.

As per the official release of the Election Commission, the polls will take place on December 10, 2021, from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm.

The elections are necessitated due to the retirement of the sitting members.

The term of office of these 12 members of the legislative council -- Puranam Satish Kumar, Pochampally Srinivas Reddy, Tera Chinnapa Reddy, V. Bhoopal Reddy, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, Balasani Laxminarayana, T. Bhanuprasad Rao, Naradasu Laxman Rao, Kasireddy Narayan Reddy, Kuchukulla Damoder Reddy, Ranga Reddy, Patnam Mahender Reddy and Sunkari Raju -- will expire on January 4 next year.

Commission had announced on 9th November, 2021 the biennial elections to Telangana Legislative Council from the 9 local Authorities' Constituencies for 12 seats due to retirement of sitting members.

The notification for this election was issued on November 16, 2021 and the Model Code of Conduct had come into force with immediate effect on November 9, 2021 itself.

As per the release, the date for the issue of notifications for the elections is November 16. The last date for making nominations will be November 23 while the final date to withdraw the candidature will be November 26.

The counting of the votes will take place on December 14, read the release.

"The Chief Secretary, Telangana is being directed to depute a senior officer from the state to ensure that the extant instructions regarding COVID-19 containment measures are complied with while making arrangements for conducting the election," it added.

( With inputs from ANI )