Special cell to be formed in district collector’s office ahead of October 13 polling.
The Pune district administration would keep a close watch on “paid news” and advertisements placed by various political parties in the print and electronic media for the ensuing by-polls for the Khadakwasla assembly constituency.
District collector Vikas Deshmukh made the announced at a press conference in Pune on Tuesday after meeting various political parties and officials of the district administration.
The polls are taking place following the death of the sitting Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) MLA, Ramesh Wanjale, in June this year. The polls would take place on October 13.
The district election office had promulgated the model code of conduct in the district on September 6. A special cell would be formed in the district collector’s office soon, which would monitor the media.
“Newspapers and news channels would be scrutinised based on the guidelines that will be issued by the state election commissioner. Clarification would be sought from media houses regarding paid news and the expense would be added to the election expenditure of the candidates,” Deshmukh said.
A maximum of Rs16 lakh can be spent by each contestant for the polls. While the filing of nominations would start on September 19, the last date for filing will be September 26.
In view of the promulgation of the model code of conduct, the district administration has already asked elected representatives to surrender their official vehicles. Six vehicles from the zilla parishad, 14 from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and 21 from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) were
surrendered.
In a crackdown against illegal banners, 128 hoardings and 320 banners were removed across the district till date. Deshmukh said that more stern action would be initiated against such banners and hoardings, after the completion of the 10-day Ganesh festival.
To keep an eye on the law and order situation in the district, action against illegal weapons will be initiated. Four such weapons have been confiscated. Deshmukh said that all licenced weapon holders would be asked to surrender their weapons a week before the polling day.
“We have asked the political parties to adhere to the expenditure limit and help in the strict implementation of the model code of conduct,” he said.
Sub divisional officer (SDO) Haveli, Avinash Hathgal, and tehshildar of Haveli, Sandesh Shirke, have been appointed returning officer and deputy returning officers respectively.
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