Assam assembly polls: Campaigning to stop as EC enforces silence period from today | India News
New Delhi: The Election Commission on Monday announced that the silence period for the Assam Assembly elections will begin at 5.00 pm today, marking 48 hours before the end of polling in all constituencies.As per Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, all forms of election campaigning will be prohibited during this period. This includes public meetings, rallies, processions and any other campaign-related activities.
The commission has also banned the dissemination of election-related content through electronic and social media platforms. Promotion through bulk SMS, phone calls and online channels will not be allowed.Also, political leaders and party workers brought from outside constituencies, who are not registered voters there, have been ordered to leave as soon as the campaign period ends. District and police authorities have been directed to ensure strict compliance to maintain a free and fair election process, news agency ANI reported.Additionally, under Section 126(1)(b) of the Act, the display of election-related content, including the results of opinion polls and surveys, on electronic media such as television is prohibited during the period of silence.Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Anurag Goyal, urged all stakeholders to adhere to the guidelines, warning that violations would attract disciplinary action.Meanwhile, Union Minister JP Nadda said, “The environment is in favor of BJP, in favor of NDA. NDA is getting unanimous support from all sections of society. The work Modiji has done in Assam, the blessings he has given to Assam and the way Himanta Biswa Sharma ji has implemented it, is being welcomed by the people of Assam.”Polling in Assam will be conducted in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled on May 4.Kerala’s CEO, Dr Rathon U Kelkar, also announced on Monday that election campaigning in the state would end at 6pm today, ahead of assembly elections, and outlined strict restrictions to enforce a 48-hour “quiet period”.
