The Election Commission on Thursday flexed its muscles once again and warned TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, IT minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Congress candidate from Yellareddy Mohd Shabbir Ali that it was dissatisfied with the replies given by them and that stern action will follow in case they continue to violate the model code of conduct.

Chief electoral officer I V Subba Rao said the notices were issued after KCR made inflammatory statements, Shabbir Ali campaigned in a church and the IT minister promised the electorate that roads will be laid. Referring to the reply of KCR after he was issued a second notice, the commission said "being a president of an important political party, KCR ought to have been more restrained and circumspect while making comments about the leaders and candidates of rival political parties, when elections are under way. The commission expects him to abide by the advice of the commission and will not give occasion for any such complaints in future."

With regard to Shabbir Ali, the EC said it was not satisfied with the explanation given by him and was of the opinion that he ought to have been more circumspect and not given any opportunity for a complaint against him. "The commission conveyed its displeasure and advised him to be more careful in future so that no provision of the model code of conduct is violated in letter or in spirit."

About Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, the EC said the statements of the IT minister amount to promises of new works, during the period when byelections to 12 assembly constituencies are underway and thus violates provisions of the model code of conduct.

Meanwhile, the EC made all arrangements for counting on Friday. The counting will be monitored by CCTV cameras. The results of seven constituencies which went to polls with EVMs will be announced by 1 pm and the five constituencies which went to polls with ballot papers will be announced by the evening, the CEO said.