West Jaintia Hills enforces election restrictions

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 17, 2024

West Jaintia Hills District Magistrate on Wednesday has imposed under Section 144 CrPC in the district to prohibits individuals from convening, holding attending, joining, or addressing any public meeting or procession related to the election.

The order come into forces from 4:00 PM on April 17, 2024, until the conclusion of the polls.

This was necessitated following the announcement by the Election Commission of India, the April 19, 2024, as the date of Poll for the General Election to the Lok Sabha, 2024, as per Press Note Vide No. ECI/PN/23/2024, dated March 16, 2024.

The order said, the last 48 hours before the Polls are extremely crucial for the Election machinery not only from the Poll Day planning perspective, but more crucially from law and order and creation of conducive environment for free and fair polling. Under section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, in the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of poll, the campaign will come to an end and hence, this period essentially constitutes the period when all election campaigning through public meetings etc. is brought to a complete halt.

Strict vigil needs to be maintained in the poll bound areas to ensure that no
unscrupulous elements are able to engage in nefarious activities like illicit distribution of cash. gifts, liquor etc. to unduly induce and influence the electors for extracting political mileage.

Furthermore, the order prohibits the use of loudspeakers during this 48-hour period.

The order directed political functionaries, party workers, campaign functionaries, etc., brought from outside the district and not registered as voters of West Jaintia Hills District, are instructed to leave immediately after the campaign period ends. Exceptions are made for office bearers of political parties in charge of state headquarters during the General Election to the Lok Sabha, 2024.

Additionally, all exit polls, opinion polls, and the publication, publicity, or dissemination of such polls in any form, including print or electronic media and social media, are prohibited.

However, this order does not apply to Assistant Returning Officers, Zonal Magistrates, Sector Magistrates, Polling Officials, and all personnel on election duty, including armed forces personnel, paramilitary personnel, and other law enforcement agencies on lawful duty/deployment. Personnel engaged in essential services are also exempted from this order