JALANDHAR
The General Election Observer for Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency J. Meghanatha Reddy and Expenditure Observer Madhav Deshmukh today solicited fulsome support and cooperation from the candidates /political parties for holding free, fair, and transparent general elections 2024.
The observers, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner cum District Election Officer Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma, and SSP Dr. Ankur Gupta, the Observers today held detailed parleys with the representatives of the different political parties/candidates during which they assured them that the district administration was duty-bound to ensure smooth and hassle-free polling process in Jalandhar.
DEO apprised the political parties/candidates that elaborate arrangements have been put in place in Jalandhar by the administration for this purpose.
The Observers said that the political parties/candidates must adhere to the stipulated Model Code of Conduct else stern action would be taken against the violators as per the provisions. They further mentioned that to ensure strict implementation of the Model Code of Conduct in true letter and spirit, the directions had already been issued to all the officers/ officials. They also said that zero tolerance would be adopted towards anybody found violating the norms of the Model Code of Conduct.
The Observers said that the Election Commission was committed to ensuring free, fair, and peaceful polls in the district. They said that the Screening Committee, Media Certification and Monitoring Committee, Vehicle Management teams, Expenditure Monitoring Committee, Model Code of Conduct Teams, Video Viewing Teams and Accounting teams have been constituted in the district to check the misuse of money power, liquor, and narcotics. The representatives of Political parties/candidates were also given the contact list of nodal officers of these cells.
Sharing the instructions about `DOs and DONTs’ for the political parties/candidates, the Observers further said that political parties must avoid any such campaign that incites mutual hatred adding that no religious place should be used for campaigning. Likewise, they said that posters of the political rivals should not be torn and protests of each other would not be allowed. They said that the venue and time of the political rallies and processions must be informed well in advance to avoid any inconvenience. Similarly, the outsider campaigners needed to leave the constituency by 6 pm on May 30, 2024. They have to ensure that no campaign was held on any platform including print, electronic or social media during the prohibited period after 30.5.2024. The candidates must not make a voting appeal based on religion, caste, language, etc. The candidates must obtain written permission from the owners before putting up posters/banners on their property.
The Observers also asked the polling parties to train their election agents well about the poll norms so that they would not violate the Code. They said that the Election agents must not adorn any attire, badge, or cap that symbolizes the party on Election Day inside the booth.
Pointing out further, Expenditure Observer Mr. Madhav Deshmukh asked the participants to carefully maintain their accounts concerning poll expenses as ECI has fixed the maximum limit for each candidate worth Rs. 95 lakhs. He mentioned that three account reconciliation meetings will be held by the expenditure team wherein the representatives of candidates must bring original records concerning their poll expenses. He also mentioned that all the expenses above Rs. 10,000 were to be incurred through a bank account separately opened by the candidate for this purpose. The observer asked them to ensure the entry of every single penny being incurred on the election campaign by the candidate so that no expense was left outside the books.