The Hindu : National : Shekhawat cannot accept protocol

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Tuesday, Jul 03, 2007
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Shekhawat cannot accept protocol

Special Correspondent

State Governments will have to offer the Vice-President protocol

NEW DELHI: Soon after it became public that the National Democratic Alliance-supported Presidential candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat would not travel across the country to campaign for the July 19 election, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Presidential poll managers offered the reason for this decision.

Guidelines

The guidelines governing the Presidential elections clearly specify that the candidate — irrespective of whatever post he/she holds or may have held in the past — would have to undertake the campaign in his/her personal capacity.

Since Mr. Shekhawat is still the Vice-President, the State Governments will have to offer him protocol but this is something he cannot accept as a Presidential candidate.

These guidelines were reiterated by the Election Commission on Saturday in a letter to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, who is UPA candidate Pratibha Patil’s election representative.

Writes to Dasmunsi

The Commission wrote to Mr. Dasmunsi in this regard in response to his letter seeking clarifications on the conduct of the campaign.

According to the Commission, the campaign expenditure has to be borne by the candidate or the political party supporting his/her candidature.

Government machinery

The candidate cannot use any government machinery including government vehicle/aircraft.

This applies also to any minister who accompanies the candidate during the election campaign.

While the candidate can meet members of the Electoral College in any reception, breakfast/dinner or get-together organised by a Union Minister or Chief Minister, the expenses cannot be met from the State exchequer.

The bill has to be picked up by the candidate or supporting party.

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