Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday directed the district authorities to issue permission to the candidates in the panchayat elections to use public address system during campaign.
In a letter to the district collectors, the SEC stated that since it had received several complaints from the candidates in this regard, the should issue the permission for the purpose to them.
Besides collectors, the sub-collectors and tehsildars have also been authorised for the purpose. The SEC has allowed the DCPs at the block-level coming under the Commissionerate of Police have been empowered to issue the permits.
The SEC further said the permission in this regard is meant for use during the campaign by the candidates only.
Similarly, the BDOs have been authorised to issue permission for use of vehicles by the candidates contesting for sarpanch and panchayat samiti member posts and the sub-collectors are empowered for giving permits to the candidates for zilla parishad member posts.
