EC rider for holding rallies: Parties need to apply 48 hours in advance

The Delhi Election Office is considering a period of 24-48 hours for giving clearances. Every political candidate or party will have to apply for permission at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled rally or procession. A final order to this effect will be issued next week.

The EC officials too will have to inform political parties/candidates within 24 hours of receiving an application,whether an event can be held or not.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi,who convened a meeting of representatives of all political parties,District Election officers (DEOs) and DCPs on Friday,also asked the Delhi Police to prepare a fixed format for granting permission rather than receiving handwritten applications seeking permission from individual candidates.

During the meeting,political parties complained that they were being forced to obtain permission from a number of agencies such as SHOs,Returning Officers,DDA,MCD and other such departments. This,they said,was affecting their preparations for the December 4 Assembly polls.

“Political parties said they currently had to obtain permission from multiple agencies for conducting election-related activities,which was leading to confusion. So we mooted the proposal of creating a single-window system at the District Election Officers’ (DEO) office for granting permission to all such activities,” Deputy Election Commissioner and in-charge of Delhi polls Vinod Zutshi said.

Officials said the Additional Commissioner of Police of each district will act as the nodal officer for granting all kinds of permission at the DEO’s office.

“All political parties have committed in writing to work towards strengthening the single-window system,which will be based on a timeline to be followed by parties as well as the district-level machinery. The parties will need to apply for permission 2-3 days in advance. A final decision on this is yet to be taken and an order to this effect will be issued next week,” CEO Vijay Dev told Newsline.