By IANS
New Delhi : The Election Commission Tuesday prohibited Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Pratibha Patil, rival candidates for the July 19 presidential poll, from using any government machinery including vehicles or aircraft for their election campaign.
A statement issued by the commission mentioned a June 30 communication from Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi on expenditure on certain items during the campaign or meeting of a candidate with the electorate and the use of government machinery by the political functionaries accompanying such candidates.
The communication from Dasmunsi was sent after the minister raised a question on Shekhawat using official vehicles for going around for his election campaign.
The commission clarified that: "Irrespective of the office held by him or her in the past or at present, the candidate has to undertake his or her election campaign in his or her individual capacity. The expenditure on this account has to be borne by him or her or by any political party supporting his or her candidature."
The commission guidelines say: "The provisions of section 171H of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will be applicable in this regard. It is clarified that the candidate cannot use any government machinery including government vehicle/ aircraft for the purpose of election campaign."
"Also ministers of union government or state government, accompanying a candidate during election campaign, will be doing so in his or her individual capacity. Hence, he or she has to use private vehicles only."
The Election Commission found nothing wrong with chief ministers, union ministers or state ministers organising breakfast, lunches or dinner parties or receptions or get-togethers for any candidate, as long as the expenses were paid either by them individually or by any political party.
It explained: "No expenditure can be incurred out of the state exchequer in organising any such reception, breakfast, dinner or get-together for promoting the candidature of any candidate in contravention of the provisions of section 171H of the I.P.C."