Curtains down for Munugode by-poll: No SMS, social media campaign after Tuesday

Hyderabad: Following his second visit to the Munugode constituency, chief electoral officer (CEO) Vikas Raj said campaigning will cease from 6 p.m. Tuesday and no one can campaign on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other digital channels.

He said everything is set for the Munugode by-election on 3 November.

Bulk SMSes and phone-based automated campaigning have also been prohibited after 6 p.m. when the silent period begins. The CEO also said that anyone found violating the model code of conduct will face severe consequences under the law.

Various teams have been formed to monitor and ensure rapid response, including a strike force, sector teams, and polling station security.

The CEO said all unauthorised people, other than registered voters, in Munugode must leave by 6 p.m. Tuesday. To reduce the number of outsiders in the constituency, 45 police teams and 37 revenue teams have been deployed. The teams will visit the villages on Tuesday and Wednesday nights to monitor the distribution of cash and other inducements, as well as remove unauthorised persons, he said.

Mr. Raj held a review meeting with the district election officer and assessed the facilities at the distribution and polling centres and the deployment of the police force. He also inquired about what other activities are required to ensure the smooth conduct of the by-election.

A distribution centre has been established in Chandur village on the campus of Don Bosco Junior College to assess the poll staff's preparedness.

District collector and DEO T. Vinay Krishna Reddy, district police superintendent Rema Rajeshwari, additional collector, local bodies Rahul Sharma, RO Rohit Singh, and other district officials were present during his visit.

KTR's takes last dig at opposition parties

Meanwhile, taking one last jibe at the Opposition parties, Telangana Rashtra Samithi working president K.T Rama Rao criticised the BJP workers for attacking TRS members on Tuesday.

"TRS is the only party that has paid heed to the fluorosis victims and worked towards finding a permanent solution for the same," he said.

He said that nearly 79,000 persons are receiving financial support from Rythu Bandhu and 1,189 persons are recipients of Rythu Bheema.