Election Commission mulls cash prize to District Collector

Hyderabad: The office of Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana State, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the process of interlinking of voter ID with Aadhaar is fully completed in 10 districts. The Election Commission has even decided to felicitate District Collectors and government officials, who will excel in implementing mission. 

Besides a cash prize, letters of appreciation would be given to those who would achieved excellent results, a senior official in the CEO office stated. Nizamabad Collector secured special praise from the office of the Chief Electoral Office for ensuring almost cent percent seeding in the district. 

As of August 6, the district achieved a remarkable 98.71 percent of seeding. Out of the 14 lakh voters from the district, just 107 voters are yet to complete the process. Nizamabad is the first district in the country to have attained this distinction. IAS officer D Ronald Rose, who was Nizamabad Collector until few days ago and now transferred to Medak district, made extra efforts



to make the drive a success.

Nalgonda (88.2 percent), Adilabad (85.13), Karimnagar (83.59) and Medak (81.95) are in neck and neck race for top slots. Even top officials from these districts stand a good chance of getting awards from the Election Commission.

Eight of total 10 districts have achieved nearly 80 per cent of task. The Chief Electoral Officer is holding weekly video-conferences with ten District Collectors to expedite the process. Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy at rank bottom Interestingly, the top two districts are at the bottom of the list with lowest seeding thus far. 

While Hyderabad reported just 29 per cent, Ranga Reddy is a shade better with 39 per cent. When asked about the lukewarm response in the State capital and on its outskirts, Election Commission officials explained that the drive commenced a bit late in the two districts. The official machinery was preoccupied with various government programmes and hence could not start the drive with the remaining districts.