Model Code of Conduct Enforced in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli Districts for Upcoming Elections

The enforcement of the model code of conduct in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts for the impending elections was declared by District Collector A. Mallikarjuna following the announcement of the election schedule by the Chief Election Commissioner.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Mallikarjuna outlined the appointment of Returning Officers (ROs) for the various Assembly Constituencies (AC) and the Parliamentary Constituency (PC) in the regions. Each constituency has been assigned a specific RO, ranging from Bheemunipatnam to Narsipatnam.

With a total voter count of 19,71,268, including male, female, and transgender voters, as of March 16, the districts have geared up with a comprehensive plan for the implementation of the model code. This includes the deployment of 94 monitoring teams and the removal of unauthorized political advertising.

Furthermore, the District Collector stressed the prohibition of government officials engaging in election campaigns, emphasized the establishment of grievance redressal mechanisms for voters, and highlighted the intensified checks on materials, cash, and liquor movements by both police and Monitoring Committees (MCC).

Police Commissioner A. Ravi Shankar, in tandem with the administrative directives, urged political parties to utilize the Suvidha app for obtaining permissions, specified permissible canvassing hours, and emphasized stringent measures on social media monitoring and weapon deposits.

The preparations in Anakapalli district, as pronounced by District Collector P. Ravi Subhash, mirror those in Visakhapatnam with the appointment of ROs for the Assembly Constituencies such as Chodavaram, Madugula, and Yelamanchali among others. Anakapalli boasts a voter count of 12,78,478 and stands equipped with 102 monitoring teams for ensuring adherence to the model code.