67 candidates in fray for 7 seats

HYDERABAD: In all, 67 candidates are in the fray for the seven Assembly seats for which by-elections are to be held on March 18.Of the nominations of 103 candidates filed, 22 were rejected and 14  withdrew their nominations on Saturday (March 3), the last day for doing so.  Those remaining in the fray are: Adilabad (6), Kamareddy (9), Mahbubnagar (13), Nagarkurnool (11), Kollapur (9), Station Ghanpur-SC (5) and  Kovur (14). Speaking to reporters, chief electoral officer Bhanwar Lal said  13,81,443 voters (6,89,245 male, 6,92,197 female and one other) will exercise their franchise and electoral photo-identity cards were issued to all of them.Clarifying on reports that citizens carrying cash in the seven  constituencies should obtain prior permission from the police to carry cash, he said police permission was not needed for carrying cash. But those carrying cash should carry bank withdrawal slip, bank passbook, bank statement with the name of the bank and branch and other documentary evidence to prove the genuineness of the purpose for which the cash is being carried. The Election Commission has received 10 complaints from political parties and others on violation of model code of conduct. Eight of them have been verified and forwarded to the Election  Commission of India for necessary orders. Special teams and flying squads have been formed in the seven constituencies to monitor any violation of the model code and expenditure.     With election code having come into force, cash amounting to Rs 3,58,53,600 has been seized, 382 licensed arms have been deposited, 1,793 persons bound over, 28 bailable warrants executed, and 358 persons arrested. Inter-state borders will be monitored strictly to check free flow of liquor.A strict vigilance is being maintained on liquor shops to see that they do not sell more than the allocated quota and all the belt shops in the seven constituencies will be closed to check free flow of    liquor. A meeting with the excise commissioner will be held on March 7. The commission received a complaint against minister DK Aruna alleging  misuse of official position and enquiry was being conducted and the report would be submitted on Sunday, the CEO said.