'Auctioning' of MPTC: SEC stops poll in AP Dist

Hyderabad, Jun 17 (UNI) In a bid to curb the role of money power, the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (APSEC) today announced it had stopped the polling process in Anksapur of Nizamabad District where it was found the MPTC had been auctioned for Rs 1.80 lakh.

The district election authority was directed file an FIR in the police station concerned and launch prosecution against persons responsible for auctioning of the MPTC which was an offence under section 211(1) of the APPR Act, APSEC Secretary G N Rao told a press conference here.

''Auctioning of the post amounts to subverting the democratic process and vitiating the election process,'' he said adding facts revealed there was prime facie case of corrupt practice and intimidation of intending candidates and offender was liable to one year imprisonment and disqualification to contest election for six years,'' he said.

The District Collector's report revealed Village Development Committee members had auctioned the MPTC for Rs 1.80 lakh on June 14 and the highest bidder, Namala Ashok, paid an advance of Rs 25,000 rpt 25,000 and agreed to pay the remaining amount in one month.

One Butta Santosh and Teetla Gangaram had also taken part in the auction.

Asked about four other reported auctions, two each in Nizamabad District and in Prakasam District, he said no prime facie had been established so far.

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