Bhubaneswar, Dec. 26: The State Election Commission today imposed a limit on the use of four-wheelers by candidates for the forthcoming three-tier panchayat polls.

While a zilla parishad member candidate can use two four-wheelers, a contestant for sarpanch and panchayat samiti posts is allowed to use one.

This was conveyed to the representatives of all political parties at the all-party meet held here today ahead of the announcement of poll schedule - which is expected tomorrow. Thirty representatives from 24 political parties attended today's meet.

The Election Commission's Rabi Narayan Senapati sought co-operation of all political parties in the smooth conduct of the polls. He also informed the candidates about the change in expenditure ceilings.

Now, a sarpanch and a panchayat samiti member would be allowed to spend Rs 80,000 against the earlier ceiling of Rs 60,000. A zilla parishad candidate is allowed to spend Rs 2 lakh as compared to the earlier Rs 1.5 lakh.

Election will be held for gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zilla parishads. While the zilla parishad elections will be fought on party symbol, voting for gram panchayats and panchayat smaitis will be contested on non-partisan basis. The three-tier panchayat elections have to be over by the middle of March next year.

Though the State Election Commission said the rural polls would be free and fair, the Opposition parties expressed their doubts.

BJP state general secretary Prithviraj Harichan said: "The State Election Commission seems to be helpless. We reiterated our demand to make a provision for separate ballot boxes for the posts of zilla parishad members as the zilla parishad election is being fought on the basis of party symbols. We also wanted conduct of counting on one day. However, the commission expressed his inability to take any step in this regard as the state government has not accepted this proposal."

The candidates contesting for sarpanch, panhayat samiti member and zilla parishad will have to submit affidavits about their educational background, criminal antecedents and property statements along with their nomination papers. Otherwise their nomination would be rejected. However, ward member candidates are required to only submit declaration forms.

Zilla parishad members will have to submit the recommendation from their respective parties in respect of their candidature.

Model code of conduct will be enforced from the day of announcement of the poll schedule and remain in force till the counting of votes is over.