Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 8
Abhijit Sinha, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland, today said that as per Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the campaigning period for General Election to the 17th Lok Sabha, 2019 from 1-Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency and Bye-Election to Nagaland Legislative Assembly from 26-Aonglenden (ST) A/C shall come to an end with effect from 4:00 pm of April 9. A prohibition on public meetings will be in place for 48 hours thereof, ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll.
Addressing a press conference here this evening at Hotel Japfü, Sinha said that, with this, no person shall convene, hold or attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with an election; or display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus; or propagate any election matter to the public by holding, or by arranging the holding of, any musical concert or any theatrical performance or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public.
The CEO notified that any person who contravenes this provision shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
The District Election Administration/Police Administration shall ensure that all political functionaries shall leave the constituency immediately after the campaign period is over.
However, the said restriction may not be insisted upon the office bearer of the political party who is in-charge of the State. Such office bearer of the political party shall declare his place of stay in the State Headquarters and his movement during the period in question shall remain confined normally between his party office and place of his stay.
Sinha informed that Election Commission has notified the period between 7:00 am on April 11 (Thursday) and 6:30 pm on May 19 (Sunday) as the period during which conducting any exit poll and publishing, or publicizing by means of the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, the result of any exit poll in connection with the current General Elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha), 2019, and bye-elections from the assembly constituency shall be prohibited.
The CEO said, “for the first time in the State, we are providing Braille Dummy Ballot Sheet in each of the polling stations which will contain the details of the candidate’s name, serial number and the party he represents, however, a visually challenged person can still use a companion if he prefers.”
