PROHIBITION PROTOCOL DURING 48 HOUR BEFORE POLL ISSUED

PROHIBITION IMPOSED ON BROADCASTING OR PROPAGATING ELECTION MATERIAL ON TV OR RADIO Ludhiana, May 17, 2019: The Election Commission of India today issued extensive guidelines to the District Election Officers to ensure prohibitions during the period of 48 hours (6 pm on May 17, 2019) ending with hours fixed for conclusion of poll in Punjab to be held on May 19, 2019. Giving details on this, District Election Officer Ludhiana Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal said that the guidelines have been issued in accordance with the provisions enacted in Section 126 Representation of Peoples’ Act 1951. According to the guidelines, the ongoing campaigning for Ludhiana Parliamentary Constituency would come to an end 48 hours prior to the polling date, i.e. May 19, 2019. Subsequently all the political leaders, functionaries or Party workers who are not the registered voters will have to vacate the constituency within this period, however, the elected MP or MLA of poll going Parliamentary Constituency should not be asked to leave there constituencies during the election to Lok Sabha/State Legislative Assembly even if he/she is not an elector of the poll going parliamentary constituency. Necessary guidelines have been issued to the Police and Civil Administration to ensure that the outsiders who are not required in the area, leave immediately, said Mr Agrawal. The District Election Officer 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. He also said that the administration has been asked to ensure all those who have been under security cover could remain therein the constituency, in which they are the registered voters, till the poll day. The Election Commission has also imposed a 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 18 and 19, 2019 requires prior permission or certification from the ECI, he stated. Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal said that all the advertisements for the prospect of the candidates or the political party during the last 48 hours will be restricted. According to the guidelines, all the electronic media advertisement, including the bulk SMS, IVRS and social media have been completely banned for broadcasting during the last 48 hours ending with poll i.e. starting from 6 pm of 17th May 2019 to 6 pm of 19th May 2019. He said that all the print media advertisements to be published during the last 48 hours have got to be certified by the district-level Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC). Adding further Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal said that all the political parties and the media have been advised to follow the directions strictly as per the guidelines of the ECI.