JALANDHAR
Given the upcoming bye-election of Jalandhar West (S.C.) Assembly Constituency, General Observer Uttam Kumar Patra, Police Observer Dalo Ram Tenivar, and Expenditure Observer Meenu Susan Abraham informed candidates and political party representatives about the Election Commission of India's guidelines, urging them to ensure strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.
During a meeting held today at the District Administrative Complex, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Additional District Election Officer Major Dr. Amit Mahajan, and Returning Officer for Jalandhar West Alka Kalia, along with the election observers, assured the representatives of various political parties that the district administration was committed to conducting the election process smoothly and efficiently.
The District Election Officer informed that the administration has made robust arrangements to conduct the entire election process transparently and impartially. He further stated that for the Jalandhar West Assembly bye-election, voting will take place on July 10 across all 181 polling booths. The constituency has a total of 171,963 voters, including 89,629 men, 82,326 women, and 8 third-gender voters. The counting of votes will take place on July 13, with the counting center set up at the local Lyallpur Khalsa College for Women.
Observers emphasized that political parties and candidates must strictly adhere to the Model Code of Conduct as strict actions to be taken against violators. The DEO also mentioned that the monitoring teams have also been formed to prevent the misuse of money, liquor, and other intoxicants in elections, including nine Flying Squad Teams, nine Static Surveillance Teams, three Video Surveillance Teams, two Video Viewing Teams, an Account Team, and a Media Certification and Monitoring Cell.
Candidates and political parties must obtain permissions for rallies, road shows, meetings, vehicles, loudspeakers, and video vans, with a Permission Cell established at Lyallpur Khalsa College for Women as violations will result in appropriate actions. Pre-certification of content for campaign advertisements through print, electronic, and social media is mandatory, with a Media Certification and Monitoring Cell set up in Room No. 14-A at the District Administrative Complex.
Parties should avoid appeals based on religion, caste, or language and refrain from any campaigns that incite communal hatred. The use of religious places for election campaigns is prohibited, and written permission must be obtained before placing posters/banners on private properties.
Candidates and parties must ensure no campaigning occurs after the designated campaign period ends, including on print, electronic, social media, bulk SMS, and other platforms. No campaigning is allowed within 100 meters of polling stations on the election day.
Expenditure Observer Meenu Susan Abraham stated that political parties/candidates must maintain proper records of election expenses, ensuring every penny is accounted for. The Election Commission of India has set a maximum expenditure limit of Rs. 40 lakh per candidate. The Expenditure Team will hold three 'Account Reconciliation' meetings where representatives must bring original records of their election expenses.
Election Tehsildar Sukhdev Singh, representatives of various political parties, and candidates were also present in the meeting.