Violation of the code of ethics: strict action District Collector Nitesh Patil warns

Karnataka Assembly Election 2023 -------------------------------------------------- ---------- Violation of the code of ethics: strict action District Collector Nitesh Patil warns Belgaum, March 29 (Karnataka News): As the Code of Conduct for Karnataka Assembly Elections has come into force, all posters, banners, and graffiti in public places should be removed. District Election Officer and District Collector Nitesh Patil warned that all the teams assigned for election duty should immediately start working. He spoke at the meeting of Election Officers and Nodal Officers held on Wednesday (March 29) in the hall of the District Collector's Office in the background of the announcement of the assembly election date. A minimum of infrastructure should be provided in polling booths. The sector officials of the concerned polling booths said that they should ensure mandatory visitation infrastructure at the polling booths. He instructed that legal action should be taken immediately if any cases of violation of the model code of conduct are reported. Notice to file a case against the person concerned: Strict vigilance should be maintained on the illegal transportation of cash, liquor, gifts, and other items. If there are photographs of any party or persons on the items seized during such illegal traffic, a case should be registered against them. When a portrait or a party symbol is found, the person concerned should be the first to be accused. The Collector gave strict instructions that the motorists and other persons should be made the second and third accused. The Ekavakshi system should be introduced to facilitate the issuance of various permits, including for election campaign programmes. The first 24 hours are crucial as the code of conduct comes into force. The returning officers of the concerned constituencies should immediately call a meeting of the representatives of the political parties and provide the necessary information. All tourist rooms should be cleared and handed over to the concerned election officers. Unauthorised persons or gatherings should not be allowed for any reason. Any violation of the Model Code of Conduct should be dealt with sternly. Belagavi City Police Commissioner Dr. M. B. Boralingaiah said that the traffic of illegal cash, liquor, and other items should be monitored. Speeding up checks at checkpoints will help prevent irregularities. Therefore, he instructed that the vehicles be checked properly. He informed them that the licence would be issued as per the guidelines of the Election Commission. District Superintendent of Police Dr. Sanjiva Patila said that officers and staff assigned to election duty must wear identity cards. This facilitates identification of authorised and unauthorised persons. If false news is found related to the election and election campaign, the election officers should register it immediately. Dr. Sanjiva Patil said that the teams assigned at the checkpoints should be closely monitored. Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Harshal Bhoyer directed that strict action should be taken to enforce the Model Code of Conduct. Electoral officers of various constituencies and nodal officers of various committees were present at the meeting.