Returning officers should register case against political parties or independents organising public meetings without permission from the Returning Officer. The public meetings, however, should not be banned altogether, said Jayashree Muralidharan, District Collector.
Addressing heads of departments at a meeting on ‘model code of conduct’ here on Saturday, the Collector said it was mandatory for contestants to get permission from the election officials for organising a public meeting. In case of any violation, the officials should register case against them.
The meeting need not be banned. Community or caste-based associations should get prior police permission for organising a meeting.
The Collector advised the officials to monitor the vehicles being utilised by the candidates. A candidate could be permitted to use any number of vehicles for campaign. But during convoy not more than 10 vehicles should be permitted. The vehicles for campaign should be used for a specific number of days permitted by the Returning Officer. On the guidelines for the party workers meetings, the Collector said that due permission should be obtained for displaying hoardings at the venue.
Vehicle checkThe Collector clarified that the vehicle check-up was not directed against trading community but only aimed at checking malpractice under the banner of business and commercial transaction. Officials involved in vehicle check-up should wear the identity cards. Seizure of money exceeding Rs. 10 lakh or its release after due verification of authentic records should be brought to the notice of the district administration and the Income Tax department.
Shailesh Kumar Yadav, Commissioner of Police, S. Rajeswari, Superintendent of Police, and Abhinav Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, were present.
