The Election Commission of India has spelled out guidelines ahead of the three by-elections to fill vacancies in the Meghalaya Assembly – for the Mawryngkneng, Mawphlang and Rajabala seats.
The model code of conduct came into force on September 28 but the ECI has also issued other guidelines to be followed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During pre- and post-nomination, any procession or public meeting is prohibited. Only three vehicles are permitted within a periphery of 100 meters of RO’s office. No procession for nomination shall be permitted.
During campaigning, only 30 percent of allowed capacity or 100 persons, whichever is less, will be allowed indoors. A register will be maintained to record and count the number of people attending the meeting.
Outdoors, 30 percent of capacity or 500 is permitted. In either case, the allowed number is whichever is less. The entire area will be cordoned off and will be guarded by the police. The count of people entering the ground will be monitored. Expenditure for the cordoning/barricading will be borne by the candidate/party. Only those grounds which are cordoned/barricaded completely will be used for rallies.
Street corner meetings will be limited to 50 persons, subject to availability of space and compliance to Covid-19 guidelines.
Number of ‘Star Campaigners’ restricted to 20 for these by-elections for national/state recognized parties and 10 for unrecognized registered parties in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
No roadshow shall be allowed and no motorbike/cycle rallies will be allowed.
Door-to-door campaigning will be limited to five persons including candidates and their representatives. Video van campaigning will not field more than 50 persons shall be allowed in one cluster point subject to availability of space and compliance to Covid guidelines.
Total vehicles allowed for a candidate/political party (excluding ‘Star Campaigner’) is 20 with only 50 percent of allowed capacity.
The silence period is 72 hours before the end of poll.
Maximum two vehicles with three persons each shall be allowed on polling day. Security as per the applicable extant guidelines. Poll day activity at polling station as per ECI guidelines.
On counting day appropriate measures will be taken to prevent crowding.
Social distancing and other Covid safety protocols to be strictly adhered to at all times during counting.
Candidate/election agent/polling agent counting agent/driver etc whoever is coming in contact with the public or election officials have to be double vaccinated.
Nominations will have to be submitted by October 8 by 3pm. Scrutiny will take place on October 11, withdrawal of names on October 13 and the election will be held on October 30.
