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Hence, 17 have been left in the fray forcing the Election Commission to use an additional ballot machine in each polling station. Returning officer for Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency and deputy commissioner Sameer Shukla has sent requisition for additional ballot machines to the election commission.
Sameer told reporters here that Raju Kambale, Hanumantappa Meti and Rajashekharaiah Virupakshaiah Kantimath-all independents -- withdrew their papers. The returning officer has also allotted the symbols to all those who are in the fray finally.
Sitting MP and BJP state president Prahlad Joshi is seeking re-election and he is facing a challenge from Vinay Kulkarni (Congress), Hanumant Bankapur (Janata Dal-S), Hemantkumar Panchal(AAP), Gangadhar Badiger (SUCI), Pramod Mutalik (Sri Ram Sene) and 11 others.
Sameer said the election officials have seized Rs 74.15 lakh cash, 4,444 saris, eight four-wheelers, one two-wheeler, gold and silver worth Rs 18.15 lakh and liquor worth Rs 55,000 which were being carried illegally. The officials have filed FIR in 20 cases for violation of the model code of conduct and arrested 45 persons.
On complaints of BJP candidate trying to lure mediapersons by offering gifts, Sameer Shukla informed he had issued notice to BJP candidate Prahlad Joshi and the latter had refuted the charges.
However, the RO has ordered a probe by nodal officer Vijay Kumar into the allegations.
The presiding officers and assistant presiding officers on poll duty were given training here on Saturday and second round of training will be given soon. The polling officers will also be called for the second training the date of which will be announced soon, the RO informed.
He said stringent action will be taken against officers failing to attend the election related work assigned to them.
