Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate police on Wednesday issued an advisory for the political parties and election candidates for organising public meetings and roadshows in the twin cities of Odisha, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, for the upcoming state Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
The city police’s guideline has been issued to ensure that the Election Commission’s strict guidelines are followed and the model code of conduct is not violated by anyone.
According to the advisory, neither any candidate nor any political party will be allowed to hold public meeting, rallies and roadshows in the twin cities without permission. They need to apply for permission and licence at their respective DCP offices for the purpose.
In case of permission for the same place applied by more than one candidate on the same date and time, permission will be granted as per provision of first come first serve basis.
The instructions issued from Chief Election Commissioner from time to time will be intimated to the candidates by enclosing the same with the licence/permission.
Here are the regulations of roadshows during Elections:
1. As far as possible, road shows, subject to court orders and local laws, should be held only on holidays and during non-peak hours, on routes other than those having big hospitals, Trauma Centers, Blood Banks and heavily crowded markets.
2. Number of vehicles and persons expected to join the roadshow shall be intimated in advance.
3. Simultaneous plying of number of vehicles (Four Wheelers) on rood including e-rickshaw/ two wheelers to be limited to 10. In case it exceeds the limit of 10 vehicles, then the convoy shall be broken offer every 10 vehicles and a gap of 100 metre maintained.
4. The roadshow shall not cover more than half of the road width to ensure safety of general public and free movement of traffic on the other half.
5. Safety of public and persons attending the roadshow shall be ensured. Bursting of firecrackers and carrying of firearms shall not be permitted at all.
6. Loudspeakers can be used as per the Election Commission’s existing instruction and subject to local laws and court orders, if any.
7. Display of animals in road shows is totally banned. Children, particularly school children m uniform should not take part in roadshows.
8. The maximum size of banner to be carried with hand will be 6 ft X 4ft.
9 Only one flag of the size 1ft X half ft with permission of the returning officer concerned would be would allowed on campaign vehicles in a roadshow.
10 No spot/focus/flashing/searchlights and hooters shall be put on any campaign vehicle.
Dos:
1. Traffic regulations and restrictive orders, in force of the localities, enroute of the procession should be ascertained and fully complied with.
2. The passage of the procession must be without hindrance to traffic.
3. The route granted for procession should be strictly adhered subject to subsequent changes on the advice of the local police.
Don’ts:
1. Demonstrations or picketing before house of any individual, by way of protesting against their opinion or activities shall not be resorted to.
2. No disturbances shell be created in public meetings or processions organised by other political parties or candidates.
3. No processions along places where another party is holding meetings.
4. Processionists shall not carry any articles, which are capable of being misused as missiles or weapons.
5. No use of loudspeakers whether static or mounted on moving vehicles, between 10.00 P.M. and 06.00 AM.
6. No use of loudspeakers at public meeting and processions without prior written permission of the authorities concerned. Normally, such meetings/ processions will not be allowed to continue beyond 10.00 PM at night ond will be further subject to be local laws, local perceptions of the security arrangements of the area and other relevant considerations like weather conditions, festival seasons, examination period etc.
Notably, voting for the State Assembly and Lok Sabha will be held in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar simultaneously on April 23.
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