Those organising Yakshagana performances during the period when the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections will be in force need not obtain special permission from the Election Commission to host the shows. The organisers, however, have been “advised to keep the EC in the loop to avoid miscommunication and misinterpretation”.
District Election Officers and Deputy Commissioners of Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada S. Sasikanth Senthil and K. Harish Kumar, respectively, said the organisers would have to “intimate” and not obtain the commission’s “permission” to host the shows or use loudspeakers.
Supreme Court direction prohibiting use of loudspeakers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. would apply to Yakshagana performances too. However, the authorities may offer some relaxation to these events keeping in mind their traditional background and sentiments of the public.
The commission would keep an eye on whether the shows, including their expenditure, were being used for political gains by violating the code of conduct.
Mr. Senthil said the commission would verify whether a particular show was being organised for a long time or was suddenly planned, ostensibly by a political party or a candidate. There could be instances of providing meals or other freebies during such performances and hence the Election Commission needs to be kept informed, he said.
On March 28 last year, Election Commission officials objected to a performance by Kamalashile Mela at Amasebail village, Udupi district, for not obtaining their permission and using loudspeakers after 10 p.m. There was some confusion in Dakshina Kannada too.
Mr. Senthil said they could be owing to initial hiccups, and now the EC was clear on the issue.
