Forum flags money power, poll code violations in Telangana local body elections
HYDERABAD: The Forum for Good Governance has alleged large-scale use of money power and violations of the Model Code of Conduct during recent local body elections in Telangana, and urged the State Election Commission to initiate action against those involved.
In a representation to the commission, Forum president M Padmanabha Reddy cited Articles 243-K and 243-ZA of the Constitution, which empower the State Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections to panchayats and municipalities. While stating that the polls were “free” with no repolls or major untoward incidents, he alleged they were not “fair”.
‘₹10,000 crore spent in 10,000 gram panchayats’
Reddy said Telangana has 12,769 gram panchayats, of which about 2,769 are in tribal areas. In the remaining 10,000 panchayats, he claimed, contesting candidates together spent an average of ₹1 crore each, totalling nearly ₹10,000 crore.
He alleged that cash, liquor and other articles were distributed openly a few days before polling, and that print and electronic media had covered such instances. In some places, he said, women staged rasta rokos alleging non-payment by candidates.
According to the Forum, the situation has reached a stage where contesting for the post of sarpanch requires substantial financial resources, discouraging poorer candidates. It further alleged that some defeated candidates later visited households asking voters, “on oath before a photo of God”, whether they had voted for them and, if not, to return the money given.
Reddy said such instances warranted booking cases against both candidates who allegedly bribed voters and voters who demanded money.
‘Model code violations in municipal polls’
The Forum also alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct during municipal elections. It referred to provisions barring candidates from bribing voters, using government accommodation for campaign purposes, and using official machinery or vehicles for electioneering.
The code also bars ministers from combining official visits with election tours and from announcing new schemes, sanctioning grants, laying foundation stones or making promises related to public works after elections are announced.
Reddy alleged that these conditions were “blatantly violated” and claimed that the Election Commission did not act.
The Forum has requested the commission to register cases based on media reports and evidence, and to take steps to curb money power and code violations in forthcoming Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC), Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections.
Copies of the representation were marked to the chief secretary, the chief electoral officer, and district election authorities and superintendents of police.
