Poll schedule announcement : Notices issued to effect deposition of arms, MCC, invoke prohibtion
Source: The Sangai Express
Bpr/Jiri/Tbl, March 16 2024:
With the announcement of the poll schedule for the 18 th Lok Sabha Election 2024 by the Election Commission of India, A Subhash Singh, IAS, District Magistrate, Thoubal has directed all licensed arms holders in Thoubal district to deposit their licensed arms at the nearest police station on or before March 23, 2024.Failing to do so will result in the confiscation of the licensed arms and ammunition by the District Police Administration, Thoubal, added the order.
It may be noted that the notification was issued with a view to maintain law and order and to ensure peaceful conduct of the 18th Lok Sabha Election 2024.Moreover, issue of fresh arms license as well as the process of application of arms license has been banned with the announcement of the poll schedule, the notification added.
Separately, with the Model Code of Conduct coming into force in Manipur from March 16, the same will now apply to all Assembly Constituencies of Bishnupur with regards to the 18th Lok Sabha Election 2024 .
A press note issued by Lourembam Bikash, District Election Officer/Deputy Commissioner, Bishnupur has added that the Model Code of Conduct will also apply to all intending candidates, political parties and all others concerned.
In addition, a separate notice issued by the Bishnupur DEO/DC has invoked restrictions on the printing of pamphlets, posters etc as per Section 127A of the Representation of People Act, 1951 .
According to this Act, no person should print or publish any election pamphlet or poster which does not bear the names and addresses of the printer and publisher.
It added that no person should print or publish any election pamphlet or poster (a) unless a declaration as to the identity of the publisher, signed by him and attested by two persons to whom he is personally known, is delivered by him to the printer in duplicate and (b) unless, within a reasonable time after printing of the document, one copy of the declaration is sent by the printer, together with one copy of the document (i) where it is printed in the capital of the State, to the CEO and (ii) in any other case, to the District Magistrate of the district in which it is printed.
Furthermore, the DEO/DC Bishnupur in a separate order prohibited possession and carrying of firearms of any kind by Arms License holders within the jurisdiction of the district with immediate effect and till the process of elections is completed.
Lastly, Jiribam Deputy Commissioner/District Election Officer Krishna Kumar, IAS has directed all District Level Officers and staff in the district to report to the District Headquarter immediately without fail.
The order further informed that no more leaves will be granted until the completion of Lok Sabha polls for the district.