less than six weeks left for the election to the State Assembly, Dehradun election officer Ravinath Raman met the representatives of various political parties and the probable independent candidates at the Collectorate on Monday and directed them to ensure that the candidates do not exceed the spending limit fixed at Rs 28 lakh in the maximum for each.
Besides, he asked them to provide the detailed expenditure reports at the election officer within 30 days of the results being declared under sub-sections of section 77 of the Representation of the People’s Act. He also asked the members of the political parties to seek permission on their party letter pads/party symbols around 48 hours before they stage a rally, road show, meeting and public gathering from the election office, adding that they also need to take permission from Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for the advertisement in electronic and print media or social media. The advertisement materials should be eco-friendly not violating NGT/Pollution Board rules and regulations, Raman stressed during the meeting.
The district election officer said that many things like paid news, bribery, distribution of liquor, clothes and other materials, putting unnecessary pressure, allurement and using loudspeakers for advertisement between 10 pm and 6 am have been prevented. He also reminded them of the direction of Supreme Court that asked the political parties to avoid referring to religions, castes, creed and languages while canvassing for votes. Each candidate should open a bank account which highlights election expenditure only, he said while asking the representatives of the political parties to seek prior permission from the returning officers and police officers for fixing the venues of their public meetings.
One copy of the electoral list would be given to the seven recognised political parties of the state free of cost while other political parties or independent candidates would have to pay to collect it. Raman further said that election campaign at Clock Tower and within 50 metres has been prevented. Election expenditure would include hired vehicles, individual vehicles, drivers’ charge, fuels, food, lodging and others, he stressed. Raman said that he had directed the managers of various banks to ensure that the candidates do not face any problem to open accounts in their banks and KYC.