Religious ceremonies, marriages... poll mode monitoring

Religious ceremonies, marriages... poll mode monitoring

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Apr 02, 2018 :  Several restrictions by the Election Commission (EC) to discourage violations of the model code of conduct has made private entities wishing to organise programmes seek permission from the district administration.

Briefing in general,  Udupi DC Priyanka Mary Francis said that the EC has made it mandatory for private parties to compulsorily undergo surveillance, while organising ceremonies like marriages, engagements, religious programmes and fairs, where food is served.

The district administration would send the video surveillance team to verify the facts, she added.

This process would be more important when politicians are invited to the programme.

‘Visit, don’t woo’  :  They should only visit the ceremonies and not act or commit anything beyond that, said the DC. The video surveillance teams would be continuously monitoring the situations.

Posters and banners, which are put up for private programmes, should not have any politician’s name and they should be displayed within the premises of the area wherein the programme is held, the officer said.

Temples are also under surveillance, where the food served will also be scrutinised.

She said that politicians are permitted to go to temples but they should only be praying and do nothing beyond that. They cannot appeal. Their activities would be continuously observed by the returning officer.

Politicians can visit the houses where deaths have taken place. Even then they should be limiting their visits only to pay tribute to the departed soul.

No notification : The DC said that except for the Udupi City Municipal Council, no notification is done under the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981.

Posters and all sort of advertising material which include the promotion of any political party of the contestants should also not displayed on roadsides and medians and at all other public places, she added.

As many as five violations have been reported under CL2 and three vehicles seized including a campaign vehicle, the officer added.