Candidates asked to file expense report

KOCHI: The Election Commission on Thursday sought explanation from Piravom bypoll candidates over daily campaign expenses. Returning Officer E R Shobhana asked the candidates to furnish details after the Election Commission found irregularities in the daily expenses report they filed.The EC also decided to constitute five circles - Piravom, Kuthattukulam, Mulanthuruthy, Chottanikkara and Ramamangalam - and give the powers of Executive Magistrate to Special Tahsildars, who would monitor the campaigns.The decision was taken at a meeting attended by General Observer K Veerabhadra Reddy, District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth, City Police Commissioner M R Ajithkumar, District Police Superintendent K P Philip, Assistant Collector Bhandari Swagath Ranveerchand, Election Deputy Collector S Shanavas, Returning officer E R Shobhana and Electoral Registration Officer T S Swarnamma.It was decided to set up police pickets in Irumbanam, where five polling stations have been declared sensitive. Patrolling will be intensified at all polling booths, where five policemen each will be deployed.A patrolling unit will be set up for every five booths. A striking force will also be deployed in Piravom under the SP.