Criticism of other parties must be limited to their policies: Haryana CEO Pankaj Agarwal

Chandigarh, August 26

The Election Commission of India has issued detailed guidelines of ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for candidates and political parties for the Haryana Assembly elections.

Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal said all parties and contesting candidates should have access to public places like grounds and helipads. During elections, criticism of other political parties and candidates should be limited only to their policies, programmes, past records and actions. Local police officials should be informed and permission for the time and place of the proposed meeting should be taken promptly.

Agarwal said if any restrictive or prohibitory orders are in force at the place of the proposed meeting, then those orders should be respected. Similarly, permission should be obtained for loudspeakers or any other such facility for the proposed meetings and police assistance should be obtained in dealing with persons who create disturbance or disorder in the meetings.

He said the time, place, and route of starting and ending any procession should be finalised in advance and prior permission should be obtained from the police officials. It must be kept in mind that the route of the procession should not obstruct the traffic.

The Chief Electoral Officer said to ensure peaceful and orderly voting, all election officials should cooperate with the political parties and the candidates contesting the elections. Also, all political workers engaged in the election will have to show badges or identity cards. The informal identity slip issued to voters should be on plain (white) paper, on which there should be no name and symbol of the party or name of the candidate. Apart from this, the ban on the movement of vehicles during the campaign period and on the day of polling should be strictly followed. Any complaint or problem regarding the conduct of the election should be brought to the notice of the Election Commission Observer, Returning Officer, Zonal/Sector Magistrate, Chief Electoral Officer or Election Commission of India.

Dos and Don’ts by Election commission

• All parties and contesting candidates should have access to public places like grounds and helipads
• The time, place, and route of starting and ending any procession to be finalised in advance and prior permission to be obtained from the police officials
• Permission should be obtained for loudspeakers or any other such facility for the proposed meetings
• Police assistance should be obtained in dealing with persons who create disturbance or disorder in the meetings