Code offence against Kamat

MUMBAI, JAN 31: Strongly implementing the code of conduct for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Mumbai suburban district collectorate...

MUMBAI, JAN 31: Strongly implementing the code of conduct for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Mumbai suburban district collectorate today registered an offence against Gurudas Kamat, the Congress I candidate from Mumbai north-east constituency, and suspended A D Gurav, Additional Assistant Returning Officer, for negligence of duty.

An offence under section 36 E read with 134 of the Bombay Police Act was registered against Kamat for coming with a procession to file nomination papers without the prior permission of the police on January 29, 1998. The amended model code of conduct strictly prohibits a candidate from taking out processions, addressing rallies and public meetings and other activities related to campaigning, without the local police station8217;s permission.

Gurav, attached to Santacruz assembly constituency, was found guilty by Dr Sanjay Chahande, Collector and District Election Officer for Mumbai suburban district, of neglecting his duty. An offence was registered against Gurav undersection 32 of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951 and was arrested on January 25, 1998.

Dr Chahande, with additional collector D B Shrivardhankar, deputy district election officer G C Mangle, deputy collector B K Thakur, Deputy Police Commissioners Madhu Shinde, Dilip Shrirao, Sanjay Barve, Madhukar Gavit, R S Bachewar and Assistant Police Commissioner D B Amrutsagar, addressed a press conference to take stock of preparations for the Lok Sabha elections and the law and order situation in the three suburban constituencies. The officers were confident that they would be able to carry out free and fair elections.

The Mumbai north constituency comprises Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali, Vasai and Palghar and has a total of 21,79,254 voters. The Mumbai north-east constituency is made of Trombay, Chembur, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Bhandup and Mulund and has 19,42,187 voters while Bandra, Kherwadi, Vile Parle, Amboli, Santacruz and Andheri form the Mumbai north-west constituency with a total of 15,24,258 votersas on January 5, 1998. Voting will be carried out through 6,314 polling stations out of which 947 polling stations will be located in pandals as government buildings and schools were not available.