Bengaluru, Apr 11 (PTI) Ordering the release of rice bags seized from a social worker here, the Karnataka High Court has clarified that the election officers have the authority to search and confiscate materials only after the elections are announced.
Justice M Nagaprasanna in his recent judgement on a petition filed by Isthiyak Ahmed, held that the Returning Officer or the election officials do not have any jurisdiction to search or seize any material before the announcement of elections.
Merely because they are appointed as officers for conduct of elections, they cannot use the said power before the declaration of elections, the court noted.
