Election code of conduct turns party pooper

April 24, 2013

Mangalore, Apr 24: Although auspicious 'muhurtas' for weddings are popping up this summer, the election code of conduct is playing spoilsport.

According to the model code of conduct, use of microphones in weddings has been prohibited, besides restriction on serving meat in wedding receptions. Prior permissions and no-objection certificates from local bodies like Panchayats, Town Municipal Council and City Corporations are required to be taken in addition to permissions from the Tahshildar and the police. People organizing weddings have been finding it difficult to address the headache of getting official permissions while simultaneously making other last minute preparations for wedding programmes.

Wedding invitation cards are being taken to government offices while simultaneously being distributed among friends and relatives. In the wake of a few complaints regarding private parties and wedding programmes being used as a tool by political forces to influence voter population, the Election Commission has tightened screws this election season to ensure that weddings do not become a platform for political parties and activists to take political advantage.

Even if political leaders and candidates claim to be relatives or friends of the family of the ones getting married, the Election Commission has made it tough for them to make their presence felt in these programmes.

Owing to the restrictions and formalities involved in conducting such programmes, many people have postponed their celebrations and private functions.

In case of political leaders and candidates, the matter is worse as they are required to produce their poll campaign expenses before the Election Commission.

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