Collector chairs meeting with representatives of political parties

Collector chairs meeting with representatives of political parties

District Collector R. Sukumar held a meeting with the representatives of all recognised political parties here on Friday and sought their cooperation in conducting the election in peaceful manner.

The meeting was convened to discuss with the representatives of recognised political parties about the designated polling booths, conducting election rallies attended by more than 5,000 persons, selection of venue for these meetings, the government poramboke lands identified for organising the election meetings, list of venues preferred by the political parties, arrangements and precautionary measures to be taken by the organisers of the public meetings etc.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Sukumar said all polling booths would be set up in easily accessible places for the voters as directed by the Election Commission of India. After discussing with the political parties on the reorganisation of polling booths in all five Assembly constituencies of the district, proposal for shifting the booths to nearby accessible areas was submitted to the Election Commission of India. As per this proposal, four booths in Tirunelveli and two booths in Ambasamudram segments had been shifted to nearby easily accessible areas following appeal from the political parties and the subsequent concurrence from the Election Commission of India.

On conducting the public meetings as part of electioneering, the Collector said the political parties should strictly adhere to the guidelines stipulated by the Election Commission of India in organising the meetings attended by huge number of people. The election meetings should be conducted only after getting due permission from the designated official.

“Apart from the spots identified for organising meetings to be attended by more than 5,000 people, the political parties can also submit their choice of venues well in advance so that it will be easy for granting permission after comprehensive inspection,” Dr. Sukumar said.

District Revenue Officer M. Durai, Corporation Commissioner Monika Rana, Superintendent of Police V. Prassannakumar, Sub-Collector, Cheranmahadevi Ayush Gupta and senior officials participated in the meeting.