Voters should celebrate elections as a festival: Sandeep Shandilya

The upcoming state election should be treated as a festival which should be used to elect deserving candidates, Hyderabad city police commissioner Sandeep Shandilya appealed to voters on Wednesday.

Speaking to media persons after a surprise visit to Nampally Police Station, Shandilya said he will continue to make surprise visits till the Telangana state polls are not over.

Officers, who are not maintaining records of rowdysheeters or are negligent while performing their duties, will be held accountable, Shandilya said.

"Being the city police commissioner, I strongly believe in dedication towards work, honesty and expect the same from all officers at the stations," he said.

"During the inspection, I am interacting with the officers, guiding them to ensure that the election process is peaceful," the commissioner said.

"Police will deal with anti-social elements, rowdysheeters and historysheeters. In a democracy, the people should consider elections as their own festival just like they celebrate Holi, Dasara and



Diwali. Our officers and myself are explaining the same to the voters," he said.

He added, "Police are always there for the citizens. We will deal with anti-social elements who intimidate voters. Voters should take advantage of their right to vote and select their representatives for their betterment."

During Diwali festival (November 11-12), the police will make arrangements for the public and business establishments, but shops must adhere to the closure timings, he said.

The commissioner cautioned that vehicles will be searched in the run-up to the polls.

"We have already released the money seized after relevant documents were produced and continue to do that," he said.

"The police will not spare anybody caught violating the norms. People should carry relevant vehicle documents and have a strong reason to move around as the police would severely intensify frisking, cordon searches, and vehicles with no relevant documents will be seized," police sources said.