Chandigarh, May 25, 2018: The Election Commission (EC) on Friday issued extensive guidelines to the District Election Officer Jalandhar to ensure prohibitions during the period of 48 hours (5 pm on May 26, 2018) ending with hours fixed for conclusion of poll in Shahkot to be held on May 28, 2018.
Chief Electoral Officer Punjab, Dr. S Karuna Raju said that the guidelines have been issued in accordance with the provisions enacted in the Section 126 Representation of Peoples’ Act 1951.
According to the guidelines the ongoing campaigning in Shahkot Assembly Constituency Bye Election would come to an end 48 hours prior to the polling date. Subsequently all the political leaders, functionaries or party workers who are not the registered voters will have to vacate the constituency within this period.
Necessary guidelines have been issued to the Police and Civil Administration to Jalandhar to ensure that the outsiders who are not required leave immediately. All the political parties have also been properly informed on this issue so that the ECI directive could strictly inforMed, said Dr. Raju.
The EC has also directed the election and Police administration to keep a close check on the community centres, guest houses and lodges so that the outsiders, if any, could be kept housed without causing any disturbance during the electoral process. The Identity cards of those who stay there in the constituency would also be checked, he added.
Besides, the administration has been asked to ensure all those who have been under security cover could remain there in the constituency, in which they are the registered voters, till the poll day.
The EC has also imposed complete prohibition on broadcasting or propagating election related material on TV, Radio or even Newspapers. Any such material influencing the voters would not be permissible during the 48 hours before the poll. However, any advertisement being published in the newspapers on May 27 and 28, 2018 requires prior permission or certification from the ECI, added Raju.