The Election Commission (EC) has simplified the process of obtaining various permissions for campaign related activities. The commission has put in place a single window system for fast approvals of request which will not only save the parties from harassment but also save time.
According to guidelines issued by the EC, all vehicles related permissions will be issued by the concerned returning officer (RO) of the assembly constituency. Earlier, permissions of additional returning officer (ARO), police department and regional transport officer (RTO) were required for using vehicles in rallies and campaigning.
The concerned RO will issue permission on the day of application if the application was filed before 12 noon. In case the application is submitted later, the RO will try to issue the permission on same day or latest by 12 noon the next day.
For obtaining permission for public meeting and procession, the political parties need to submit application to local police station. The police station will have to accept the permission request even if the venue does not come under jurisdiction of concern police station. The police will then transfer the application to the special branch of commissioner of police (CP) office and the parties will have to get letter of permission from there.
Moreover, the candidates and political parties will have to provide expenditure details in advance to the police and the returning officer. “One copy of the expenditure form will be given to the videography team, which will just crosschecking job. In case there is discrepancy, it will be reported to the EC,” said Vijay Nehra, district election officer (DEO) of Ahmedabad.
Outside commissioner of police jurisdiction, all the permission will be issued by concern mamlatdar. “The political parties have expressed satisfaction about the whole system,” said Nehra.
