Friday, April 21 2006 17:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Baramulla: With election fever catching up in three Assembly constituencies in this district of Jammu and Kashmir where by-elections will be held on April 24, Election Commission guidelines appeared to have been violated merrily, sometimes with the permission of the authorities in view of the security situation.

Former Chief Minister and patron of People's Democratic Party Mufti Mohammad Sayeed addressed an election rally at a government school premises at Rohama in Rafiabad Assembly segment yesterday to campaign for his party candidate Mohammad Dilawar Mir.

Although the guidelines prohibit use of school premises on working days for electioneering, it was permitted by the election authorities.

"In view of the security scenario in the state, we do not allow public meetings on main roads and chowks as militants could take advantage of crowds to create trouble. Permission is granted on a case-to-case basis looking at the threat perception of VIPs campaigning for candidates," district election officer Abdul Hamid sources .

Besides children making up for a sizeable section of the crowds, the parties have been bringing people from faraway places to make for crowds.

Although the contesting parties have been making allegations of violation of the Model Code of Conduct against each other in the media, none of them have formally registered a complaint with the elections authorities so far.