From Our Correspondent
TURA: In view of the recently announced date of poll for the General Election to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, 2013; the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills has issued a notification of enforcement of the model code of conduct and various prohibitions under the Section 144 CrPC including suspension of all arm licenses issued in the district and that no new Arm licenses will be issued till the end of the election with immediate effect.
The DC has notified that wall writings, pasting of posters, papers or defacement in any forms or erecting and displaying of cut-outs, hoardings and banners on any public properties or premises is prohibited and that use of loudspeakers, whether fitted in vehicles of any kind or in static position for public meetings for electioneering purposes during the entire election period till the ending date of the declaration of results will be permitted only between 6:00 am to 10:00 pm with the written order of the concerned authority.
However, temporary and easily removable advertisement materials such as flags and banners have been permitted to be put up in private premises after a photo-copy of the voluntary permission of the occupant in writing is submitted to the Returning Officer within three days of putting up the flags and banner.
The DC has prohibited any activities which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes, communities or religious or linguistic groups and also that no aspect of the private life, not connected with the public activities, of the leaders or workers of other parties shall be permitted to be criticized.
Moreover, private vehicles, subject to the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act and subject to court orders in force, the DC said if any flags and stickers may be put up on the vehicles by the owner of the vehicle, they should be done in such a manner that they may not cause any inconvenience to other road users. Although, in commercial vehicles, displays of flags and stickers will not be permitted unless the vehicle is validly being used for election campaign after obtaining the requisite permit from the concerned authorities.
Also, prohibiting sale of Liquor U/S 135c of the Representation of People Act 1951 which provides that no spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors or other substances of like nature shall be sold, given or distributed at the hotel, eating house, tavern, shop or any other public place or private, within a polling area within the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll for any election in that polling area, the DC said that Dry days shall be declared as and when required.
West Garo Hills DC further informed that no accommodation will be provided to any minister of the central and state Government, MPs or MLAs or political functionaries in any Government Guest House/ Rest House/ Guest house of any public sector undertaking of the State Government.