Andhra Pradesh Chief Election Officer Bhanwar Lal today warned employees participating in the strike called by Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers (APNGOs) Association and thereby abstaining from duty for August 21 Avanigadda by-election of stern action.
Lal's plain-speak came against the backdrop of APNGOs Association going on indefinite strike from this midnight in protest against proposed division of Andhra Pradesh.
"District collector Dr Buddhaprakash Jyothi has already explained to APNGOs Association that action will be taken as per law against those employees staying away from election duty," Lal told reporters after reviewing the preparation for Avanigadda bypoll in Krishna district.
The by-election was necessitated following death of sitting MLA Ambati Brahmanaiah.
In a deviation from the tradition of unanimous election, contest has become inevitable this time with two independents and Brahmanaiah's son Ambati Sri Hari Prasad remaining in the fray on TDP ticket.
Counting of votes will be held on August 24.
A delegation of APNGOs Association, led by its president Ashok Babu, had met Chief Secretary P K Mohanty on August 6 in the Secretariat and handed over the strike notice.
The association has demanded the government rescind its decision to create Telangana state and public representatives from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions quit their posts.
"Necessary arrangements for the bypoll have been made. About 1,81,000 voters are expected to exercise their franchise on August 21. The election commission will be issuing voter slips with photo to all voters in advance and they need not bring any identification card," the chief election officer said.
He said that 33 polling booths were identified as "hyper-sensitive" and additional forces from Centre will be deployed to ensure voting in free and fair manner.
