Hyderabad, 8 October 2025
The District Election Officer and GHMC Commissioner R V Karnan have urged political parties and their representatives to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to ensure that the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election is conducted in a free, peaceful, and transparent manner. At a meeting on Wednesday at the GHMC Head Office with representatives of various political parties, Karnan presented a PowerPoint presentation about the election schedule and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
He reminded that the MCC came into effect immediately after the election schedule was announced on October 6 and that removing posters and banners from public and private properties within the constituency had begun without delay. Karnan instructed political parties to strictly follow election campaign norms and warned that any violations of the MCC would attract criminal cases. He stated that political advertisements on government property are prohibited, and campaign materials on private property require prior permission. Unauthorised advertisements, even if reinstalled, will be removed again, and the cost will be recovered from the responsible party, he said.
The DEO also informed that the Returning Officer’s office has been set up at the Sheikhpet Tahsildar Office, where nominations will be accepted from October 13. He assured that strong security measures would be implemented during the nomination process in line with CEC guidelines. Karnan further announced that mobile phones will not be allowed inside polling stations, and deposit counters will be provided for voters to safely leave their phones before casting their votes.
He also emphasised that political parties must disclose the criminal background of their candidates in the media, explaining the reasons for their selection. Highlighting a first for the state, Karnan said colour photographs of candidates will be printed on EVMs during the Jubilee Hills by-election to enhance voter clarity. Hyderabad Joint Commissioner of Police Tafseer Iqbal, who also addressed the meeting, assured that the police department would provide full support to ensure peaceful polling. He urged parties to conduct campaign activities responsibly and without causing inconvenience to the public.
Karnan clarified that since Jubilee Hills constituency falls within the state capital and GHMC limits, the Model Code of Conduct applies exclusively to this constituency. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found distributing cash, liquor, or inducements to influence voters either within or outside the constituency. The meeting was attended by Additional Election Commissioner Hemant Keshav Patil, DCP Apoorva Rao, Returning Officer P. Sairam, and representatives from major political parties, including the Congress, BJP, BRS, AIMIM, CPI(M), BSP, AAP, and TDP, an official statement said.
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