Now a single-window clearance system to check parties' poll expense

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to keep detailed tabon various parties’ expenditure for campaigning, the ElectionCommission (EC) has introduced a single-window clearancesystem in every state including Odisha.

Political parties will have to seek nod from the singlewindow cell in office premises of the additional collector andsub-collector, designated as returning officers (ROs), indistricts relating to conduct of election meetings, rallies,campaigning, hiring vehicles and use of helipads and airports,Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mona Sharma said.

[caption id=“attachment_78385” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption]

Candidates will have to apply for permission with adetailed list of expenditure involved in it 48 hours beforethe campaigning and the concerned RO would provide them withthe letter of permission within 36 hours, she said.The permission cell will have senior cops and officialsof other departments and will be equipped with facilities suchas photocopy machine, scanner, computer and telephone toexpedite the process of clearance.

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A candidate or a political party can seek permissionfrom the cell a week before organising meetings and rallieswhile the minimum duration for application for this purposewould be 48 hours, said an official.

PTI