Instructions for use of vehicles on poll day

Shimla, March 15

The Election Department today issued direction to political parties and candidates for hiring vehicles. If the vehicle hired by a candidate/his agent or by any other person with the consent of the candidate or his election agent for free conveyance of the voters to and fro from the polling station on poll day, it would treated as ‘corrupt practice’ under Section 123(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

According to the election department, any such matter reported or brought to the notice of the Election Commission would be treated as an electoral offence, punishable under Section 133, with a fine, which may extend to Rs 500.

To curb this practice, the Election Commission of India had issued necessary guidelines. Each contesting candidate on the day of the poll will be entitled to one vehicle for his own use, one vehicle for his election agent and one vehicle for use of his workers in each of the Assembly segments in the parliamentary constituency, said the spokesperson.

He said that the permits for the vehicles being used by the candidates would be issued by the District Magistrate/Returning Officer. It is mandatory to display the permits on the wind-screen of the vehicles. Any vehicle being used in violation of these directions shall be confiscated, added the spokesperson. Directions have been issued to the District Election Officers to ensure that expenditure incurred on vehicles is proportionately distributed among the expenditure of the contesting candidates of the party in the areas/constituencies where such vehicles are used.

It is further clarified that the permission to use video-vans for campaign purpose can be granted at the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) level only. Any party/candidate seeking permission to use the vans from the CEO should first obtain necessary permission/no objection certificate from the competent authority under the Motor Vehicle Act.

To avoid inconvenience to the general public/ commuters during road shows, prior permission for road shows would be taken from the competent authority. — TNS

Workshop for disabled voters

Nurpur: Following the directions of the Election Commission of India, an awareness workshop was  organised for physically challenged voters from the Nurpur and Indora Assembly constituencies. Assistant Electoral Officer (AEO)-cum-SDM Surinder Thakur presided over the event. Anganwadi workers and booth-level officers were also present.  Those suffering from disabilities were apprised of facilities available to them at the polling booths. The AEO directed the BLOs to visit the houses of disabled persons and get their name registered in the electoral rolls till March 19. OC