DEO Bishnupur appeals for peaceful election
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Bishnupur, January 17 2022:
In connection with the upcoming State Assembly Election 2022, District Election Officer Bishnupur, L Bikram on Monday chaired a meeting with political parties and intending candidates of the district at Conference Hall, Mini Secretariat in Bishnupur.
During the meeting, L Bikram maintained that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been put in place to provide a level playing field for all parties and candidates and appealed for strict compliance of MCC guidelines for smooth and peaceful conduct of election in the district.
In view of the recent surge in Covid cases along with the emergence of OMICRON variant in the State, he urged all parties and intending candidates to adhere to Covid Appropriate Behaviors during election campaigns.
He also appealed to the public to get themselves vaccinated as it is the only way to contain the virus.
The DEO exuded confidence on adequate EVMs/VVPATs in the district to be utilized in the ensuing election.
He also informed that the maximum permissible gathering of people for any activity including election-related is 50 persons for closed spaces and 200 persons for open spaces respectively.
L Bikram further informed that roadshows, pad-yatras, rallies shall not be allowed till January 22,
2022 .
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Highlighting the preventive measures taken for peaceful elections in the district, SP Bishnupur, N Herojit Singh stated that 49 polling stations have been identified as vulnerable stations.
He said that adequate security will be deployed at those vulnerable areas as confidence building measures while urging all political parties and intending candidates to refrain from resorting to violence at the time of announcement of party tickets as such unethical actions will be dealt with firmly as per law.
Briefing the participants on MCC, H Bobby Sharma, ADC Bishnupur stated that criticisms on other political parties shall confine to their policies and programmes, past record and work.
Any activity which may create communal or religious hatred or will come under the ambit of MCC must be avoided at all cost, he added.
Ejaj Hassan, AC to DC Bishnupur, informed that the rate chart for the district has been published after due deliberations with political party representatives.
He urged party representatives and intending candidates to make the best use of cVIGIL app and Voter Toll Free Number 1950 not just for complaints, but also for seeking any election related information; to be well versed with the 'Handbook for Candidates' published by ECI and practice filling of the nomination form to avoid unnecessary rejection at the time of scrutiny.
He also appealed to take serious note on criminal antecedent, if any at the time of filing nomination papers by the candidates.
Ejaj Hassan further stated that postal ballots will be provided to service voters, absentee voters, officials on poll duty and essential services.
Covid patients will be allowed to cast their votes in the last hour of the poll day by following the recommended guidelines given by health experts, he asserted.
Party representatives and intending candidates attending the meeting were also briefed on Election Expenditure Monitoring guidelines including opening of a new savings account with any nationalized bank for election-related transactions and cVIGIL by concerned Nodal Officers.