Odisha: State Election Commission increases expenditure limit for Panchayat polls: Check details
Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission, Odisha on Monday issued an order regarding elections for the post of sarpanch, panchayat samiti members and Zilla Parishad members. Polling at each Polling Station shall take place during 7 am to 1 pm for General Elections and by-elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
“In exercise of powers conferred under Article 243-K of Constitution of India read with Rule 18 of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Rules, 1965, Rule 17 of the Odisha Panchayat Samiti Elections Rules, 1991 and Rule 20 of the Odisha Zilla Parishad Election Rules, 1994 the State Election Commission hereby order that polling at each Polling stations shall take place during 07 AM to 01 PM for General Elections and by-elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions until further orders,” the order said.
The State Election Commission also ordered about the poll expenditure limit for candidates contesting for sarpanch, panchayat samiti members & Zilla Parishad members. As per the order the poll expenditure limit for Zilla Parishad members was enhanced upto Rs. 5 lakh, for Panchayat Samiti members and Sarpanch candidate the limit was increased to Rs. 2 lakh.
Limit on use of vehicles by candidates also increased. As per the order Zilla Parishad member candidates can use upto 5 Jeep/ car and 10 Motor cycles (Bikes). Similarly Panchayat Samiti member candidates can use 2 jeeps/ cars and 5 motorcycles and Sarpanch candidates can also use 2 Jeep/ Cars and 5 motorcycles.
It was cleared that Auto Rickshaws can also be used in the limits fixed for the use of vehicles and motorcycles. The Zilla Parishad member candidates are needed to intimate about the registration number, type of vehicle and name of the vehicle’s owner, to the Sub-Collector. Also, The Panchayat Samiti members and Sarpanch candidates are required to intimate the above details of the vehicles to the concerned BDO in writing since the initial day of use of the vehicles.
