With the Model Code of Conduct coming into force soon after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the Nanjangud Assembly seat (SC) bypoll on Mar. 9, Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep held a meeting with office-bearers of all political parties at the Court Hall in his office here this morning.

Explaining the do’s and dont’s for candidates and political leaders in the wake of the Model Code of Conduct, DC Randeep said that MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha has been appointed as the Returning Officer (RO) for Nanjangud bypoll and he can be contacted on Mob: 94498-41234 for reporting any Code of Conduct  violations.

Nanjangud Tahsildar  Daya- nanda has been appointed as Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) and he can be contacted over Mob: 99806-88776.

Asking all the candidates to follow the Model Code of Conduct, the DC said that the officials have been instructed to ensure strict compliance of the Model Code.

Stating that there were 236 polling booths in Nanjangud constituency which has an electorate of 2,00,498 (1,01,267 men and 99,231 women voters), Randeep said that a candidate must be over 25 years of age and must be listed as a voter in the electoral rolls of any Assembly segment in the State.

Pointing out that every candidate has to remit Rs. 5,000 as security deposit (Rs. 10,000 for General Constituency), the DC said that as Nanjangud Assembly seat is reserved for SC category, the candidates must submit authenticated Caste Certificate issued by the concerned Tahsildar.

Giving a brief on the procedure for filing of nominations, the DC said that every candidate should file his/her nomination papers in Form 2 (E) along with an affidavit in Form 26.

The filing of nominations will commence tomorrow (Mar. 14) and ends on Mar. 21, he said and added that candidates can file nominations between 11 am and 3 pm on all working days until Mar. 21.

The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on Mar. 22 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is Mar. 24, he said and added that only 4 persons will be allowed into the chamber of the officer along with the candidate during the filing of nomination papers.

Announcing that the ECI has stipulated a maximum expenditure of Rs. 28 lakh for a candidate, the DC said that the candidates must send expenditure reports on a day-to-day basis to the authorities.

Reiterating his call for strict compliance of the Model Code of Conduct, Randeep said that the District Administration will take all necessary measures for a free and fair poll.

MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha, ADC T. Venkatesh, Nanjangud Tahsildar Dayananda and other officials and about six representatives of different political parties attended the meeting.