Baripada: The district administration has initiated a number of measures to ensure free and fair panchayat elections by monitoring the violation of the model code of conduct and election expenses of candidates.
Importantly, contestants have been told to furnish details of their election expenditure during electioneering.
Collector Rajesh Prabhakar Patil presided over a workshop of leaders of political parties Tuesday. In the workshop, the officials deliberated on the minutes of the model code of conduct, guidelines meant for public meetings, canvassing, taking out processions and certain guidelines for candidates to abide by on and before the polling day.
Keeping in view possible unrest and violence, the administration has decided that all liquor shops be closed 36 hours before the elections while candidates have been asked to take permission of the administration to hold meetings or rallies at public places.
The collector made it clear that the contestants had to submit details of their expenditure at the administration. As per decision of the State Election Commission, a Zilla Parishad candidate can spend up to Rs 2 lakh; a panchayat samiti member up to `80,000 and a sarpanch up to Rs 80,000.
Apart from leaders of various political parties, two election observers Ramkrushna Sahu (for Baripada and Udala sub-divsions) and Sadhab Minj (for Karanjia and Bamanghati sub-divisions), SP R Prakash and ADM Deben Kumar Pradhan among others were present.
In the first phase, elections will be held at 1536 booths in six blocks under Baripada and Udala sub-divisions February 13 while polls in 1215 booths in six other blocks will be held February 15.
Similarly, elections will be held in 569 booths under two blocks February 17 and 976 booths under five other blocks February 19. Elections to 1087 booths under seven blocks will be held February 21. PNN
