Sagayam calls for electing the honest

MADURAI: If true democracy must shine, people must elect honest people and should never elect a corrupt person to power, said U  Sagayam, Collector and Electoral Officer of Madurai at a review meeting held  here on Monday.Stressing that if necessary, the local body elections would be conducted on par with the Assembly elections, he urged the returning officers to adhere to the model code of conduct. “Officers of all departments in the district should engage in poll related work and only if democracy shines in the eyes of the people in rural areas our nation can outshine”, he asserted.Crime cannot be prevented by means of law and order but by spreading awareness among the public, he pointed out and added that returning officers must report to the district collector about the actions taken under CrPc section 109 and 110. The Collector then sought the returning officers not to take leave till the elections were over. They were also asked to upload the information of candidates contesting and the announcements made by State Election Commission online. Respective returning officers should ensure proper distribution of ballot papers through audit and special arrangements must be made for differently abled and the senior citizens at the poll booths. Returning officers must comply with the stipulated norms and ensure that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, he further added.