Stage set for Kalanwali municipal poll amid heightened security, liquor ban

To ensure peaceful and fair municipal elections in Kalanwali on June 29 and counting on June 30, District Magistrate (DM) Shantanu Sharma has enforced strict orders on Friday, under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Sharma said the vote counting would take place at Dr Ambedkar Bhawan, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa. From 6 am on June 30 until the counting ends, only authorised persons, including election staff, police, paramilitary forces, candidates, and their counting agents would be allowed within 500 metres of the centre. Entry of unauthorised individuals was banned. Prohibited items include weapons, matchboxes, chemicals, mobile phones, electronic devices, belts, extra clothes, keys and even pens. Only counting agents might carry pens, paper, notepads, and official forms.

Sharma further said, victory processions and gatherings of five or more people were not allowed near the counting venue during the period. Violators would face strict legal action.

On June 29, the day of polling, political parties and candidates are not allowed to set up booths or camps within 200 metres of any polling station. If a location has multiple polling booths, only one camp is permitted beyond 200 metres. Entry to polling stations is restricted to voters, polling staff, candidates, and authorised persons. These restrictions will be effective from June 28 until the voting ends.

A liquor ban has been imposed from the evening of June 27 until polling ends on June 29 in Kalanwali and the surrounding 3-kilometre radius. All liquor shops, bars, pubs, and wholesalers will remain closed. If re-polling occurs on July 1, the ban will continue that day. In Sirsa, similar restrictions will apply on June 30 and July 2, if required for re-polling or counting.

Further, on polling day, mobile phones and electronic devices are banned within 200 metres of the polling stations. Large public gatherings and unnecessary movement are restricted in the area to maintain order.

A complete ban on weapons, flammable substances and items such as sticks, rods, explosives is also in place from June 28 until voting concludes. Exceptions are made for on-duty police, disabled individuals with walking sticks and Sikhs carrying kirpans.

Minister Krishan Bedi stuck in waterlogged streets

A video has emerged showing Cabinet Minister Krishan Bedi’s convoy stuck in waterlogged streets of Kalanwali after rain. The minister had come to campaign for BJP’s municipal chairman candidate Sunil Kumar (Tishu). He stopped to meet locals who shared their concerns about civic issues. Bedi pointed out that both Kalanwali’s MLA and Sirsa’s MP were from the Congress, and accused them of blaming their lack of power for not resolving issues. He urged people to vote for the BJP so their problems could be addressed, promising results if the BJP won.

Selja slams BJP, demands fair elections

Congress MP Kumari Selja accused the BJP of winning votes by dividing people and making false promises. Speaking at Rajkumar Bansal’s residence on Friday, she called on the administration to conduct free and fair elections and ensure no candidate was pressured.

Calling the voters of Kalanwali as wise and loyal to the Congress, Selja said they had always supported the party because it fought for people’s rights. She also criticised the BJP’s development claims, pointing to waterlogging after rain as proof of poor infrastructure. She stressed that the government should work for everyone, not a few.