Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar has said that since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, goods and cash worth Rs 72 crore 37 lakh have been seized in Jharkhand so far. In response to a question, he said that the Model Code of Conduct is not a hindrance in the distribution of study material in government and government-recognized schools, provided the study material does not have the picture of any political person.
He said that for the smooth study of children in government schools, the Election Commission of India has directed that there is no obstacle in the purchase of text books, notebooks, school bags, establishment of computer labs, purchase of tabs by the Education Department and tendering for its distribution. He was speaking at a press conference at Nirvachan Sadan, Dhurwa on Thursday.
Kumar said that till now 41 cases of violation of model code of conduct have been registered in Jharkhand. In this, maximum 6 cases each have been registered in Palamu, Hazaribagh and Ranchi. Five cases have been registered in Dhanbad, fourin Seraikela Kharsawan, three each in Garhwa and Giridih, two in Simdega and one each in Sahebganj and Khunti. The Chief Electoral Officer was talking to the media in Dhurva.
He said that so far 25 nomination papers have been filed for the fifth phase of elections. Among them, 12 nominations have been filed from Chatra Lok Sabha constituency, 7 from Koderma and 6 from Hazaribagh. So far 3 nomination papers have been filed for the Gandey Assembly by-election.
So far 14 nominations have been made for the sixth phase of elections. Among them, 3 people have filed nomination papers from Giridih Lok Sabha constituency, 5 from Dhanbad, 2 from Ranchi and 4 for Jamshedpur Lok Sabha constituency.
Kumar said that children from schools and colleges participated enthusiastically in the SVEEP program to make the voters understand the importance of voting. “They are playing an important role in the elections as our future and first time voters. Many sweep related activities are being conducted by children in schools and colleges. These children have spread awareness among their parents and nearby voters through many interesting and entertaining activities like quiz competition, poster making, slogan, letter writing and others,” he added.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that so far seven candidates have filed nomination papers in the Gandey Assembly by-election. At the same time, a total of 42 candidates have filed nomination papers so far for the Lok Sabha election phase 5. Among them, 20 candidates from Chatra Lok Sabha constituency, 11 from Koderma and 11 from Hazaribagh have filed nomination papers. A total of 26 nomination papers have been filed so far for Lok Sabha election phase 6. Among them, 5 nomination papers have been filed from Giridih Lok Sabha constituency, 8 from Dhanbad, 6 from Ranchi and 7 from Jamshedpur.
