DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, stated that all political parties and candidates must follow the rules of the Election Commission during the Haryana Assembly General Elections as elections will be conducted transparently and fairly in the state, according to the directions of the Election Commission of India.

He said that any political party planning to hold a rally or roadshow must obtain permission from the concerned district administration and the roadshows should not cause traffic jams. Apart from this, loudspeakers will not be used between 10 PM and 6 AM.

Pankaj Agarwal further stated that during the Model Code of Conduct, political parties are not allowed to use any government rest house for political meetings, gatherings, or events. Also, no one should exploit voters' caste or communal feelings, and activities that increase discord or hatred, or create tension among different castes, communities, religious or linguistic groups, should be

avoided.

Apart from this, political parties and candidates cannot use temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras, or any place of worship for election campaigns, such as speeches, posters, or music, added the Chief Electoral Officer.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that at the district level, election expenditure monitoring teams will oversee the candidates' programmes. Candidates must adhere to the Model Code of Conduct during their election events.

He said that the Election Department has fixed rates for tents, food, tea, vehicles, promotional materials, etc., to track election expenses. Candidates are required to submit their expenditure details to the concerned district election office.


(editor@dailyworld.in)