Orientation Programme for upcoming general election, 2019 to all the Political Parties of the State

The orientation programme was chaired by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shri R. Telang which was attended by IGP Law and Order Shri Gyanendra Kumar Verma, Addl. CEO Smt. Roshni Rai, District Collectors of East, North and South, Superintendent of Police from all four districts and representatives of various political parties.

During the programme, Resource Person, Shri Yadav K Sharma briefed in detail about the Model Code of Conduct- which is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, election manifestos, processions etc.

Resource Person, Smt Tashi Doma Bhutia informed political parties about the election expenditure and its monitoring and the election expenditures fixed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for each candidates. It was briefed that the Commission has made mandatory for every candidate to keep a separate and correct account of all expenditure incurred or authorized by the candidate or by his election agent, between the date on which he was nominated and the date of declaration of the result of election, both date inclusive. The total of the said expenditure shall not exceed such amount as may be prescribed under Section 77(3) of R.P.Act. 1951.

CEO spoke about cVIGIL mobile Application- It is for the citizen to report any violation of the Model Code of Conduct during elections processa and the app is user-friendly and easy to operate in Android application, he said. By using this app citizens can immediately report on incidents of misconduct within minutes of having witnessed them and without having to report to the Office of the Returning Officer to lodge a complaint, CEO added.

Political parties were informed about Voter Verification & Information Programme (VVIP) (15thFebruary – 25th February)- it is for citizens for verifications of their names, new registrations, changes in the voter details and corrections in the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) for the upcoming General Elections 2019. ECI has enabled various channels for this VVIP programme and has also set up Contact centres in all districts across India. The toll free voter helpline number is 1950 with helpline mobile app and web portals, it was informed.

CEO Shri Telang requested all political parties to appoint BLAs in all polling stations during voting hours.

Hosting of flags in vehicles and private properties, modification of vehicles for election campaign, rate chart of various items of election expenditure were also discussed.

During the meeting it was decided that for the use of school play grounds for meetings, political parties have to pay certain about to concerned authority. For full size play grounds it will charge Rs. 5,000 and for small size grounds it will be Rs. 2,500 respectively. After completing public meeting concerned political party has to conduct cleanliness drive of that particular area, it was informed.