Taking note of blatant security lapses in which West Bengal Chief Minister got injured despite being Z plus protectee on March 10 in Nandigram, the Election Commission (EC) has issued guidelines saying all candidates including star campaigners must follow safety instructions during the use of any vehicle.
Attention is drawn to the Commission’s letter to all chief electoral officers of states and Union Territories, which specifies the use of bulletproof cars by the persons provided with Z+ security cover as prescribed by Central Government, it said.
The guidelines said all candidates including star campaigners must follow safety instructions during the use of any vehicle including helicopter as prescribed under relevant laws to avoid any mishap or accident, which may endanger the life and property of individual(s) and/or public at large. “Star campaigners, who have been provided with security cover by the security agencies, must adhere to the security protocols laid down to avoid any security breach which may expose them to risk,†it said.
It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that at some occasions, the Star Campaigners are not adhering to the security protocols laid down by the security agencies and exposing themselves to security risk during the campaign. “Attention has also been drawn that the safety provisions as prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 [as amended) (applying seat belt etc.) are also not being followed in some cases thereby violating the existing statutory provisions punishable under law,†it said.
The use of State-owned aircraft (whether fixed wing or helicopter) propelled at State cost or hired at State cost will not be permitted for any reason including security. In all cases where a party or a candidate hires a private aircraft/helicopter for any reason whatsoever the complete cost will be included as part of election expenditure without exception.
“In respect of persons covered by security, the use of State owned one bullet proof vehicle for the particular person (PP) 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 cost of propulsion of such bullet proof vehicles where such use of bullet proof vehicles is specified will be borne by the particular person whether he is in office or out, and whether he is a candidate or not,†read the letter.
“No part of the present instructions may be treated as affecting any modification whatsoever in regard to the existing instructions regarding the travel and the provision of facilities including transport and security, for the Prime Minister even when he is travelling specifically for party and election work. The existing instructions should be scrupulously adhered to,†it said.
It further stated that no relaxation can be made to any person with regard to the absolute ban on the use of Government owned/funded/hired means of transport for any reason other than security. These exclusions refer for example to age, state of health etc.; and to all manner of vehicles.
