Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)

Mangalore, Mar 15: "As many as 29,000 more voters have registered their names for the Lok Sabha elections this year in the district, as compared to the last LS elections," said deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada district A B Ibrahim.

He was addressing a press meet on Saturday March 15 at the taluk panchayat here. B Sadashiva Prabhu, assistant commissioner, Dr H S Shivakumar, district health and family welfare officer Gokul Das, superintendent of police Dr Sharanappa S D, and others were also present.

Addressing the gathering B Sadashiva Prabhu said that candidates who want to take out a procession along with their supporters while going to submit their nominations should get prior permission from the officials concerned.

He said, "The expenses of the procession will be added to the candidates' account and during the submission of the nomination, there should be only four members along with the candidate in the electoral office premises. This time for elections, a new election voting machine(EVM)  has been ordered, built by Bharath Electronics, Bangalore. As many as 1,980 controlling units, 2,520 balloting units will be provided. The first phase of inspection will be done in the ground floor of the under-construction Mini Vidhan Soudha next to the taluk office here."

Regarding the establishing a single window system for approval of election campaigns, he said, "In order to streamline the processes of giving permission for modes of campaigning such as meetings and rallies, it has been decided to have a single window system of clearance, so as to facilitate the candidates and political parties. This system of of single window clearance will be under the supervision of the deputy commissioner and the district magistrate/ the commissioners of police, as applicable. The deputy commissioner and district magistrate will constitute similar single window systems at the taluk levels under the tahsildar."

B Sadashiva Prabhu laid down a few points regarding instructions on the operation of temporary campaign office by the candidates during the election period. They are:

- No such office will be opened by way of any encroachment either of public or private property.
- No such offices will be opened in any religious places or campus of such religious places.
- No such offices will be opened within 200 meters of an existing polling station.
- Such offices can display only one party flag and banner with party symbols/ photographs.
- The size of the banner used in such offices should not exceed '4 feet *8 feet' subject to the further condition that if the local laws prescribe a lower size for banner or hoarding etc; then the lower size prescribed by local law shall prevail.

Further he said, "Defacement of public places like writing on walls, pasting posters, papers or defacement in any form, or erecting or displaying cutouts, hoardings etc shall not be permitted in public or government places. Temporary and easily removable ad materials, such as flags and banners may be put up in private premises with the voluntary permission of the occupant. The permission should be an act of free will and not extracted by any pressure or threat."

DC A B Ibrahim said, "The election model code of conduct came into effect soon after the announcement of the election time-table. Putting up politicians' names in banners during religious processions, cultural programmes and during other programmes is strictly prohibited under the Religious Institutions Act of 1998."

He further said, "The candidates can only spend upto 70 lac and for any programme by the political party on behalf of their candidates, the expenses of the programme will be borne by the candidate himself."

DC Ibrahim said that candidates and the political parties will be monitored by special squads to keep a check on their expenses.

"Static surveillance squad will be monitoring the borders of the district to prohibit the supply of cash, alcohol and weapons. For extra security during the elections and prior to the elections 48 flying squads, 159 sector officers, 24 video surveillance team members, 24 static surveillance team members and 24 video viewing team members have been appointed."

Answering questions asked by the media regarding the recent Kalladka incident wherein clashes erupted between Congress and Sangh Parivar members during a Congress convention, SP Dr Sharanappa said that the video footage of the incident has been sent to the legal advisors and within one week a report will be ready, and very soon strict action will be taken on those who violated the model of conduct.

During the press meet organised by the DC, there were two representatives from each of the political parties.