CEO to give permission for publicity vans

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 8

The district election office today stated that the permission to use video vans for publicity by candidates during poll campaign for Assembly elections can only be acquired only from the Chief Election Officer (CEO), Punjab. Candidates will also be required to produce a certificate from the transport office regarding fitness of the vehicle as per the Motor Vehicle Act.

District Election Officer, Dr Basant Garg, said publicity material and video used on these vans would also be certified by the media monitoring and certification wing. He said expenses on video publicity vans would be included in the total expenditure incurred by candidates during their election campaign.

There was no limit on use of vans, but its expenses would be included in the total expenditure, he added. He said candidates would also be required to furnish details about route of the publicity van with the district election office and the district administration.

Candidates would have to take prior permission for road-shows so that no inconvenience was caused to the general public, he added. He said the use of fireworks and carrying weapons during road shows has also been banned.

Garg also appealed to the general public to immediately report violation of election code of conduct by any candidate at toll-free No. 1800-180-2145. He said names of callers and other details would be kept secret. He appealed to the general public to report any such instances to ensure fair and free elections.