GHMC election notification likely after Diwali

Hyderabad,Oct 13: The State Election Commission (SEC) is likely to  issue  the  notification for  the  conduct of polls  to  the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (Ghmc) after Diwali,according to  reliable  sources here on  Tuesday.In the  Ghmc meeting held here on Tuesday with the district officials and police authorities,no  specific date  has been finalised on the election.The election notification was supposed to be issued  after  Ramzan and  Dasara  festivals. But in view of  the pandemic swine flu and dengue fever in the  state  followed by the floods the SEC  felt it is wise to  postpone   the notification of elections to Ghmc by a couple  of weeks.Now with  the flood relief  activities picking up momentum  and  the   flood situation  under control, the SEC  is likely to come up  with  notification  for Ghmc  elections.According  to the  SEC  officials,some of  the political parties are  still not prepared for the hustings as most of  their cadre  are busy with the ongoing  flood relief  operations.AVS Reddy, SEC  commissioner  reviewed  various arrangements with regard to the conduct of the Ghmc elections.

  Apart  from discussing  with  police officials  in maintaining the  law  and  order he reviewed aspects like procurement of election material and printing of instruction booklets, identification and distribution, reception, strong rooms, counting centres,and updating of electoral rolls in 24 Assembly constituencies in the jurisdiction of  Ghmc among other  things.According  to  Ghmc Commissioner S P Singh,28 centres have been identified as counting centres and 40,000 polling personnels’ data base is ready to be drafted for elections. He added that 718 senior officers will be appointed as Zonal officers, besides another 700 officers who would be drafted  as micro observers for the smooth conduct of elections.