With Saturday’s notification by the Election Commission of India that the Lok Sabha 2024 election will begin on April 19 and that Meghalaya will vote on the first day of polling, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force, necessitating restrictions and guidelines to be followed.
Today, the District Magistrates of Ri-Bhoi and South West Khasi Hills issued prohibitions against various activities, including wall writing, pasting of posters/papers, defacement, or displaying of cut-outs, hoardings, banners, flags, etc, on any government or public premises.
Additionally, displaying of flags and banners on private premises is allowed only upon voluntary written permission of the occupant/owner. It has been emphasised that displaying flags and stickers on private vehicles should not disrupt or distract other road users. For commercial vehicles, displaying of flags and stickers is permissible solely for election campaigns after obtaining authorisation from the respective District Election Officer/Returning Officer and the permission must be displayed in their original form on the vehicle’s windshield.
The orders strictly prohibit the carrying of arms and explosives in the districts until the conclusion of the election process, except for authorised personnel such as police, Home Guards, forest personnel, Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force. Licensed weapon holders are required to submit their firearms to the nearest police station within 14 days of the issuance of this order.
Furthermore, it has been stipulated that no election meeting shall take place without obtaining permission from the office of the District Election Officer and subsequently from the local headmen regarding the meeting venue. The use of PA systems and loudspeakers is permitted only until 10pm and any usage beyond this timeframe is strictly prohibited. Any violations will result in immediate seizure of the equipment by local authorities. Additionally, rallies or processions cannot be conducted without prior permission from the office of the District Election Officer.
