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Campaigning for BMC elections kicked off

BHUBANESWAR: Even as campaigning for election for councillors to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) was kicked off formally from Tuesday, candidates expressed their displeasure over State Election Commission’s (SEC) directives on positioning banners and limiting poll expenditure.

At a meeting convened by Khurda district administration to educate candidates on model poll code of conduct to be applicable in the ensuing BMC election, several candidates came out openly criticising the election managers for not defining “public place” properly for which they faced problems.

About four truckloads of banners were seized by administration as they were put up in public places. BMC candidates took a dig at administration saying when big political parties organised a convention and flooded posters all over the city, police administration turned a blind eye. But now when banners were placed for a genuine reason, restrictions were being imposed, they whined.

Most of the candidates also raised their objection over order to limit poll expenditure under Rs. 50,000 and demanded it should be increased to Rs. 1 lakh. Khurda district Collector N. C. Jena, however, dismissed their demands saying that there would be no amendment on the issue in the middle of the election. SEC has appointed five expenditure observers for the election.

Addressing the meeting senior bureaucrat and election observer Tara Dutt said in 70 per cent wards violation of poll code of conduct were noticed. Strong actions would be taken if such violations were detected further, he warned.

Candidates were advised not to take out more than four vehicles during campaigning and seek police permission for any rally. Around 43 patrolling vehicles were making regular rounds to keep an eye on the BMC election.

Among others, candidates drew attention on faults in voters’ list and distance of polling booths in some wards.

As many as 6,40,759 voters would cast their votes in the BMC election which is to be held on December 2. Results would be declared the next day. The indirect election for post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor would be held on December 10 and 26 respectively. For the ensuing election, 635 polling booths would be set up in 183 polling stations. On Tuesday, there was no report of any poll-related violence.

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