Lapses will be treated seriously: Election Commissioner

‘Ensure strict adherence to guidelines for free and fair elections’

State Election Commissioner B. Basavaraju has urged officials to ensure strict adherence to guidelines issued by the Election Commission at all levels for facilitating free, fair and peaceful municipal elections in Hubblali-Dharwad, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and other places. Chairing a meeting of the District Election Officer, Police Commissioner, other officials, election observers and nodal officers in Dharwad on Wednesday, Mr. Basavaraju said that conducting the elections in an open, transparent and unbiased manner is the responsibility of everyone. And the Election Commission will treat any lapse on the part of any officer while on election duty as a serious one, he said. Mr. Basavaraju said that now that the nomination papers filing and scrutiny have been completed in Hubballi Dharwad, canvassing will pick up and the Excise Department will have a major role to play in preventing election malpractice.