Nod must for vehicles to be used in campaigning: DC

Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Yash Garg today said all candidates and political parties must adhere to the Election Commission of India’s guidelines during roadshows and election rallies to avoid causing inconvenience to the public.

Garg said the candidates and political parties must obtain prior permission for all vehicles used in their election campaigns. He said details of all vehicles used in the campaign must be submitted to the expenditure observer, who would include them in the election expenditure reports. “Additional vehicles can only be used if information about them is provided in advance by the candidate or their agent. Details must also include the specific areas and tehsils where these vehicles will be plied,” he pointed out.

“Except for security vehicles, convoys larger than 10 vehicles are not allowed. Instead, the large convoys will be divided into smaller groups with a minimum distance of 100 meters between each convoy.”

He said that rickshaws, as defined under Section 160 of the People’s Representative Act, 1951, could be used for campaigning. Candidates must account for their expenditures in their election expenditure reports. “If a rickshaw lacks municipal registration, the returning officer may issue a permit to the driver, who must carry this permit during the campaign,” he said.

The DEO said the use of loudspeakers on public platforms or vehicles was restricted from 10 pm to 6 am.