Unlike in the past, stringent action will be taken against those soliciting votes at temples and other places of worship, Dakshina Kannada District Election Officer (DEO) and Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil S cautioned at DC hall on Friday.
If convicted under the charges of section 123 of the Representation of People Act (RPA) 1951, their election will not only be set aside; but they would be prevented from contesting again.
He warned of stringent action under section 132 of RPA against rowdy elements who stall polling over trivial issues. Those wearing tee-shirts or hats with party symbols or pictures of candidates will be regarded as bribers and stringent action would be taken against them, he warned.