EC team begins probe into Visakha-I bypoll

Visakhapatnam, Feb (UNI) A two-member Election Commission (EC) team today began its probe into complaints on large scale violation of model code of conduct during the February 19 byelection to the Visakhapatnam-I Assembly constituency.

The team began its enquiry at the Circuit House. Earlier, the EC had postponed the counting scheduled for February 22, till further order pending a full-fledged inquiry into the allegations.

The TDP had alleged that the Congress distributed liquor and money to voters on the polling day and requested the committee to visit wards in the segment to get first hand information.

Party candidate S A Rahaman and Former Minister Dadi Veerabhadra Rao told the media after deposing before the team that they had submitted evidence on the misuse of official machinery by Congress and sought justice.

The Congress team led by its candidate D Srinivas claimed his party had not violated the model code of conduct at any time.

BJP candidate S Kasi Viswanadha Raju told the team that both Congress and Telugu Desam had made a mockery of democracy and violated the code of conduct by influencing voters with money and liquor and sought repoll.

While NCP candidate Natti Kumar demanded re-poll, BSP candidate Chetty Koteswara Rao informed the team the Congress, TDP and BJP had spent much more money than the stipulated Rs ten lakh to influence voters. Hence, their candidates should be disqualified The team also heard the views of nine independent candidates.

UNI RS GM PA RK1540