The Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana State, Dr Rajat Kumar, has directed the District Collectors, District Election Officers and the Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, to take action as per law, against those causing disturbance/obstruction to any election public meeting.

He told them that he was receiving a number of complaints that election meetings held by political parties, were being disturbed or obstructed.

In an order issued by him here on Tuesday, reiterating the rule position, he said, “causing obstruction or disturbance to an election public meeting by any act in any manner” is a cognizable offence as per Section 127 of the Representation of Peoples Act.

“When a police officer, following a complaint by the leader presiding over the meeting, suspects any person/ persons of causing obstruction/ disturbance to an election meeting, he may seek the name and the address of that person/persons. If the person/ persons refuse to comply, he/they may be arrested without a warrant and will also be liable for punishment up to six months or with a fine up to Rs 2,000 or with both”, he said.

In this connection, he said, the DEOs may also invoke other relevant rules and provisions of IPC, CrPC etc. to see that political meetings are held peacefully in the period leading up to the polls.