Date:11/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/11/stories/2006071112670400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Election of ZP chiefs in 3 districts on July 15

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Election for the post of Zilla Parishad chairpersons in Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Warangal will be held on July 15.

The State Election Commission on Monday night issued a fresh notification for election of ZP chiefs and vice-chairpersons besides co-option members in the three districts. State Election Commissioner A.V.S. Reddy told reporters here today that after the notification, four days would be given for the special ZP meetings.

SEC Secretary (legal) K. S. N. Murthy said the cooption members had to be elected first followed by the chairperson and the vice-chairperson.

The process had to be repeated till the election was completed. It could be postponed for the second time for want of quorum, after which SEC would fix a fresh date and conduct the election without quorum.

Asked whether the two Telugu Desam ZPTC members who defied the party whip in Anantapur stood to be disqualified under the anti-defection law, he said the party, which issued the whip should lodge a complaint with the presiding officer.

The officer, in turn, would serve a show-cause notice asking the members to reply within a week. If the elected representatives were disqualified, they could approach the district court.

But, there was no bar on the disqualified member from contesting again.

Clarification

The SEC clarified that the newly elected ZP chairpersons and vice-chairpersons would assume charge on July 23, a day after the term of the outgoing body expires.