Telangana Assembly Elections 2018: No campaign for 48 hours before polls: CEO

Hyderabad: Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rajat Kumar said that there would be prohibition of public meeting during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of polling –that is from 4.00 PM on 5th December onwards in Sirpur, Chennur(SC), Bellampally (SC) Mancherial, Asifabad(ST), Manthani, Bhupalapalle, Mulugu (ST), Pinapaka (ST), Yellandu (ST), Kothagudem, Aswaraopeta(ST), Bhadrachalam(ST) and from 5.00 PM on 5th December in all the constituencies except the above 13 constituencies.

The CEO asserted that no person shall convene, hold, attend, join, address any public meeting or procession in connection with an election. He also said that display of election matter to the public by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus is also prohibited. Similarly release of opinion polls and other election related programmes in electronic media will also be not permitted during this period.

Rajath Kumar emphasized not to propagate any election matter to the public by holding, by arranging or holding of any musical concert or any theatrical performance, any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members or the public thereto, in any polling area.

The CEO affirmed that any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Kumar issued clear instructions, to the District Election Officers requesting them to ensure that the Section 126 of R.P.Act, 1951 should be implemented scrupulously and no campaign shall take place within the Constituency during the period of 48 hours preceding closure of polls.