With the Model Code of Conduct for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in effect, Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan said that, there will be a complete ban on publishing or promoting or disseminating any type of exit poll or its results related to the election during the voting date of first phase in print or electronic media from 7 am on April 19 to 6:30 pm on June 1.
A notification to this effect has been issued by the Election Commission of India on 28 March 2024.
The notification clarifies that during the election period, there will also be a complete ban on demonstration of election related matters in the 48 hours ending with the time fixed for the close of poll in all constituencies in any electronic media., including the results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey,
It may be noted that it has been provided in Section 126A of the Public Representation Act 1951 that no person shall conduct any vote survey or its result during such period as may be notified by the Election Commission in this regard, through print or electronic media or by any other means.
If any person violates this provision, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Lok Sabha election is a national activity and every voter should participate in it. Voter awareness (SVEEP) activities must be conducted to increase voting percentage.
All officers should discharge their duties with full capacity and dedication. Special care must be taken to ensure transparency during the entire election process.
Chief Electoral Officer Shri Anupam Rajan gave the above instructions in a meeting of Collector and District Election Officers of Sagar Division in the second session in the meeting room of Commissioner Office, Bhopal on Saturday.
Rajan said that all the officers should be fully alert and vigilant during election work.
He told them to seek guidance from him or other senior election officials and complete the election process flawlessly.
Joint Chief Electoral Officer Vivek Shrotriya, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) and State Police Nodal Officer Anshuman Singh, Additional Commissioner Sagar Division Pawan Jain, Inspector General of Police Sagar Range besides Returning Officer of Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency No. 5 Sagar, Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency No.-6 Tikamgarh (SC), Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency No.-7 Damoh and Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency No.-8 Khajuraho and Collector and District Election Officer of Panna and Niwari, Superintendents of Police and other officers of all districts were present in the meeting.
Shri Rajan told the Collector and District Election Officers that along with the polling parties, sector officers should also be given hands-on training to operate EVM and VVPAT machines. In view of the heat, ensure availability of shade, water, medicine and ORS packets in all polling stations.
Para medical staff should also be present along with the Sector Officer, so that if anyone needs treatment, he/she can be provided immediate medical care.
Rajan instructed the District Election Officers to brace the monitoring teams (enforcement agencies) and take legal action in cases of violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
He said that strict action should be taken against criminal elements that can influence the elections and they should also inform the general public about such action through the media.
Vigil must be increased in the state and through inter-state checkpoints. Collector and SP should jointly visit as many polling stations as possible, hold discussions with the people and take their feedback even on small issues. Quickly resolve complaints received through “cVIGIL app”.
He said that for complete transparency in the election process, instructions were given to inform the political parties and candidates about the updated guidelines of the Election Commission.
State Police Nodal Officer Shri Singh told all the Superintendents of Police that most of the districts of Sagar division are connected to the Uttar Pradesh border, hence keep special vigil on sensitive areas and strengthen your monitoring and information system by communicating with the Superintendents of Police of the border districts of Uttar Pradesh and also take their support while sealing the border of the district.
He said that the number of sector mobile units in the districts should be increased. This will help in intensive monitoring in the area.
Special arrangements should be made for security at the polling station on polling day.
In the meeting, all the collectors and district election officers of Sagar division gave information through PPT presentation about the ongoing preparations for Lok Sabha elections 2024 in the district and the innovative efforts being made for voter awareness.
