Hyderabad:
The Election Commission (EC) has slightly relaxed the model code of conduct in 12 districts of the state for the by-polls to 18 assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat, with a view to carry out drought relief works.
The EC has given the relaxation to take up the drought relief works and drinking water works in view of scorching summer season in the districts where by-polls will be held and not in the constituencies, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bhanwar Lal told reporters.
The model code of conduct had earlier barred undertaking of various kinds of relief and other developmental works in the district, where the by-polls are scheduled.
Replying to a query, he said special permission of the EC has to be taken to undertake the works in the poll-bound constituencies.
He said that the EC has not given permission for taking up the 'Praja Patham' mass-contact programme of the state government.
The CEO had earlier said that the programme cannot be continued in view of the poll code and that the government sought permission to continue the scheme.
He said that the ministers should not undertake official visits or make use of official machinery or personnel in the poll-bound areas.
About 12 Revenue Department Officers, two or three municipal commissioners and about 100 Tahasildars and about 100 police inspectors, who have either put up three years of service or native of the concerned district have been transferred, he said.
The by-polls to 16 of the 18 assembly seats were necessitated as the sitting Congress MLAs switched loyalty to Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and voted against Congress government in a floor test , while the sitting member quit in support of Jagan in another seat.
Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi resigned following his election to Rajya Sabha. The bye-election to Nellore Lok Sabha seat was necessitated as the sitting Congress MP quit in support of Mr Jagan. Polling will be held on June 12.