The district administration has made it mandatory for organisers of mass marriages to obtain permission from election officials.
This in view of the model code of conduct which is in force for the Lok Sabha elections.
Permission will be granted for such ceremonies only after officials ascertain that all the records are right and are convinced that the events have no political overtones.
Politicians can be invited for such programmes but they have to attend them like any other common invitee. They should neither deliver speeches from the dais nor discuss politics. Official videographers would be following the politicians to record their movements. They can sit among the audience and listen to religious discourses but cannot share the dais, officials said.
However, those organising family functions such as weddings, thread ceremony and other religious ceremonies need not obtain permission from election officials. Food can be served to the invitees if functions are held at private places.
However, religious functions accompanied by mass feeding in public places will not be allowed, according to officials. The invitees could be served ‘prasadam’ in a small quantity. Political parties organising election rallies can provide drinking water to those attending the rallies but cannot supply snacks and food, they said.
