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EC bans use of govt aircraft by ministers

The Election Commission today announced a new policy for the recognition of political parties and invoked the Model Code of Conduct partially, by banning the use of official aircraft and helicopters by all ministers for election purposes. The prime minister, however, has been exempted for security reasons.

Election Commissioner G V G Krishnamurty said the Commission also decided not to recognise any political party or group after the announcement of dates for the Lok Sabha or assembly elections.

The Commission decided that a national political party could retain its status if it secured six per cent of the polled votes in four states instead of the present four per cent. For the regional parties, the limit has been raised to six per cent of the polled votes as against the present four per cent.

It had also decided that parties should be allowed to use privately owned aircraft and helicopters on payment. The payments should be made by cheques as stipulated under the income tax, he added.

UNI

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