The District Election Officer of East Khasi Hills has reminded all political parties and candidates of restrictions that apply to them under the Model Code of Conduct.
The DEO noticed that extensive arrangements are being made for rallies and mass events to be addressed by star campaigners and others in the district as the February 27 election day draws closer.
Candidates were reminded that it is prohibited to display party branding (poster, flag, hoarding, etc) on any government property, which includes public roads, government office premises and their boundary walls, footpaths, bus stands, electricity poles, street lights, lakes, public gardens and parks, power stations, public transport, public schools and hospitals, etc.
No wall writing, pasting of posters/papers or defacement in any other form, or erecting/displaying of cutouts, hoardings, banners, flags, etc is permitted on any government premises (including civil structures).
Any party’s branding can be displayed on private property only with the prior permission of the landowner.
The DEO also instructed parties and individual candidates to respect others’ meetings, hoardings and publicity materials.
“Creating obstruction in or breaking up meetings and processions of one political party by workers of other parties or creating disturbances at public meetings of one political party by workers or sympathisers of other political parties by putting questions orally or in writing or by distributing leaflets of their own party or taking out processions by one party along places at which meetings are held by another party or removing posters of one party by workers of another party is an electoral offence under Section 127 of the Representation of the People Act 1951,” he said.
Canvassing voters within 100 metres of a polling station is also banned under Section 130 of the same law.
Local police authorities should be fully informed and necessary permission be taken well in advance for public meetings and rallies. Permission must also be obtained to use loudspeakers or any other such facilities for proposed meetings and the right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbed home life should be fully safeguarded, he added.
