Tura, Feb 24: East Garo Hills District Magistrate, Jagdish Chelani, has passed an order under Section 144 of the CrPC prohibiting public meetings or processions in connection with election, accommodation of outsiders in kalyan mandapams, community halls, etc. where people are kept.
The order also prohibited the use of loud-speakers during the period of 48 hours ending with poll closing time and exit poll under law from the period from the start of poll on the first poll day and 30 minutes after end of poll on the last poll date.
According to the order, no result of any opinion poll conducted at any time shall be published, publicized or disseminated in any manner whatsoever in or by any print or electronic media within the 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for conclusion of poll.
The order also prohibited the presence of political functionaries, party workers, procession functionaries, campaign functionaries, etc. who have been brought from outside the constituency who are not the voters of the constituency. However, the said restriction may not be insisted upon during the general elections to state legislative assemblies in respect of the office bearer of a political party who is in-charge of the state. Such office bearer of the political party shall declare his place of stay in the state headquarters and his or her movement during the period in question shall remain confined normally between the party office and the place of stay.
The prohibition, however, will not apply to Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, Zonal Magistrates, Sector Magistrates, armed force and paramilitary personnel, law enforcing agencies and others on election duty.
The order will come into force from 4 pm of 25 February onwards and remain in force until completion of the poll process, the prohibitory order stated.
Meanwhile, a similar order prohibiting the holding of public meetings was also issued by the District Magistrate in South West Garo Hills.
The prohibition includes assembly and movement of people in groups of more than five (5) persons moving together during 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of polls in connection with door to door campaigning.