Election Commission of India (ECI) had decided to allow the use of school and college grounds for political meetings provided that the school or college management has no objection for the purpose and prior permission for such campaign was obtained from the them as well as Sub Divisional Officer. This was stated by Narinder Chauhan, Chief Electoral Officer here today.

He said that the main objective was to ensure level playing field for all political parties. He said that the permission would be granted on the condition that the school and college academic calendar was not disturbed under any circumstances adding that such permission would be granted on first-come-first serve basis and no political party would be allowed to monopolize the use of those grounds.

He said that any violation in the allotment of school or college grounds for political meetings would be viewed seriously. Chauhan said that the ground utilized for campaigning purpose should be returned to the concerned authority without any damage and with the requisite compensation for the damage caused, if any.