Political parties in AP had to panic after the Election Commission announced that cases will be filed if door-to-door campaigning is carried out without prior permission. All the political parties have objected to the unprecedented restrictions imposed on door-to-door campaigning in the latest elections.
On Tuesday, in a meeting held by the chief electoral officer of the Election Commission M K Meena at the AP Secretariat, the parties objected as they were told to provide the route map 48 hours before door-to-door campaigning and to take permissions on the Suvidha app.
The political parties appealed to re-examine the requirement to take permission 48 hours before the door-to-door distribution of election leaflets and campaigning on the streets by the candidates contesting the election.
The CPM has objected to the removal of party flags from state and district party offices as well. It asked for clarification on the removal of banners and flags in the offices.
In the context of the election code of conduct in the state, Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Meena said that the Suvidha portal should be used to get prior permission for the meetings, meetings, rallies, processions, door-to-door campaigns, distribution of leaflets etc. organized by the political parties and their representatives.
Meena requested that the application should be made through the Suvidha app or directly to the concerned Returning Officer 48 hours prior to the campaign. Permissions will be granted within 24 hours of application. Meena explained that ECI has designed the Suvidha portal to file nominations and affidavits online and apply online for granting advance permissions.
All political parties have objected to the 48-hour rule. They stated that it is not possible to carry out door-to-door campaigns after finalizing the route map, reminding that no such rule exists in any state where assembly elections were held recently. The parties reminded that there was no need to take permission for door-to-door campaigning even in Telangana assembly elections.
On the other hand, TDP Polit Bureau member Bonda Uma accused the Election Commission CEO of not responding to TDP’s complaints. It is stated that the CEO was told that it is objectionable to take permission every time and promised to bring the restrictions on door-to-door campaigning to the attention of the Central Election Commission.
He accused the Election Commission of not paying attention to the complaints against the ruling party. He said that there is no response to the complaint made in the Sea Whistle app.
The YCP also objected to the permission for door-to-door campaigning. MLA Malladi Vishnu said that it is difficult to tell where the candidates are going 48 hours in advance and it is not possible to get permission even for pamphlets. He said that they have requested to relax the 48 hours rule.
