As a result, political parties are thinking hard before taking any step for their campaigns. The EC has put its foot down on the number of vehicles candidates can use during filing of nominations, graffiti and decibel levels.
Candidates can now use only three vehicles when going to file nominations.
The EC move is a blow to political leaders who revel in holding up traffic with their unwieldy convoys. During the Tiruchi by-polls last time, Independent candidates too held up traffic on busy roads at peak hours. They explained their act away as the best means to show off the support they enjoyed. Ultimately, most forfeited their deposits. At the announcement of the polls, several residents feared the cacophony that roadside meetings would create.