EC orders case against AP CM, electronic media

Hyderabad, May 29 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) has ordered registering of cases against Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and all television channels, which covered his press meet yesterday, for ''violation'' of the Representation of People's Act.

State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) I V Subba Rao told reporters here today that ''there is enough evidence to proceed against the Chief Minister and television channels under section 126 of the Act for trying to influence voters 48 hours before polling. Any display of election material through electronic media is prohibited 48 hours before polling.'' However, the print media, which published the Chief Minister's press meet, was not liable for any action, he clarified.

Asked whether Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu, who addressed a meeting in Krishna district, was liable for action, he said a report had been sought from the Krishna District Collector.

The Collectors of the bypoll-bound districts were asked to register similar cases against leaders and television channels in their respective districts for any violation of the act.

Five cases were registered in connection with a scuffle between two groups, led by State Backward Classes Minister Mukesh Goud and CPI(M) MP P Madhu in Musheerabad constituency yesterday. ''There is no concrete evidence to suggest that money has been distributed to influence the voters,'' he added.

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