Hyderabad: Telangana State Election Commission (TSEC) has directed returning officers of Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) and Mandal Parishad Territorial constituencies (MPTCs) to be cautious over unanimous elections. The SEC has further alerted the returning officers to declare unanimous elections after getting clearances from Collector and district election authority. As per the new directions from the SEC, the district Collectors are required to submit reports to general observers if any such acts on unanimous polls take place.

The SEC has turned more keen on unanimous elections in local body polls as allegations over irregularities are on the rise. Congress and other parties including independents have complained to the SEC that over Rs10 lakh are being offered to each candidate for withdrawing from election. Siddipet and Nizamabad districts witnessed unanimous elections for few ZPTC and MPTCs. Earlier also, several posts were auctioned and huge amounts were offered to the local village development. The ruling party is offering huge amount to candidates forcing them not to contest in ZPTC and MPTC elections, Congress said in its complaint to the SEC.

The SEC has issued instructions to district Collectors and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to take stringent action against those who force candidate to withdraw and try for unanimous election. Further the SEC has also opened special cells in all the districts to receive complaints against unanimous elections and to take action against them.