Jiribam, March 06 2009: The chief Electoral Officer, Manipur has instructed the Director General of Police, Manipur to provide the candidates who are contesting in the 15th Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held in April one state-owned bullet proof vehicle to be used in their campaining for security cover.

The bullet proof vehicles should also be allotted to the ministers and leaders of the political parties while going for election campaigns, the state CEO directed the DGP, Manipur.

The cost of use of the bullet proof vehicles must be borne by the candidates, the ministers and the leaders of the political parties concerned.

How-ever, expenditure on the security staff will be borne by the government.

In a letter, the state CEO further informed the DGP that in respect of persons covered by security, the use of state owned one bullet proof vehicle for the particular person will be permitted in all cases where the security agencies including the intelligence authorities, have prescribed such use.

The use of multiple cars in the name of stand-by should not be permitted unless so specifically prescribed by security authorities.

The CEO further specified that the number of vehicles to accompany the carcade including pilots, escorts, etc.

will be strictly in accordance with the instructions laid down by the security authorities and shall not exceed them under any cercumstances.

The cost of propulsion of all such vehicles whether owned by government or hired vehicles, will be met by the state government.

The cost of the manpower provided will also have to be borne by the state government, the letter added.

The Chief Minister, the Ministers, and others who hold political posts of the government are not permitted to use vehicles allotted to them by the government while going for election campaigns.

They have to use their own personal vehicles for such activities.

Regarding use of helicopter or aircraft by the Chief Minister, Ministers and others, the same may be used by hiring or purchasing with their own money, not with money from the government's exchequer.

In all cases, where a party or a candidate hires a private aircraft or a helicopter for any reason whatsoever, the complete cost will be included as part of election expenditure without exception.

Comment