District electoral officer, Kamjong district Rangnamei Rang Peter has issued an order on Monday stating there shall be strict prohibition of sale of liquor and other substances within the polling area of Kamjong district from 4 pm of Wednesday till the completion of polling, for free and fair conduct of election.
This restriction of sale of liquor and other substances shall also be implemented on the day of counting. i.e, on June 4, it stated.
It mentioned that as per Section 135C of Representation of People’s Act 1951, no spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors of other substances like nature shall be sold, given or distributed at the hotel, eating house, tavern shop or any other places, public or private, within a polling area during the last 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area.
It further said that the Election Commission of India has fixed the polling hours from 7 am to 4 pm of the poll day, the April 26 for 2-Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency for the ensuing General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024.
The order was issued in view of the Statutory provision as given in the Section 135C of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951 and as per schedule of the Polling hours fixed by the Election Commission of India, it mentioned.
Meanwhile, the use of loudspeakers during the said hours is also strictly prohibited for ensuring a free and fair conduct of election.
A separate order mentioned that the Election Commission of India has fixed the polling hours from 7 am to 4 pm of the Poll day on April 26 for one assembly segment of 2-Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency viz., 43-Phungyar(ST) AC of Kamjong district.
With the announcement of election on April 26, permits for loudspeakers for public meetings etc. for purpose has been restricted between 10 pm to 6 am of the following day as per the Election Commission of India’s letter No.3/8/2000 J.S. II dated September 26, 2005, it mentioned.
It further mentioned that as per Election Commission’s letter No. 3/8/2000J.S. II dated December 26, 2000, it is stated that no loudspeaker fitted on vehicles of any kind or in any other manner whatsoever shall be permitted to be used during the period of last 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for the conclusion of the poll in any polling area.
Any violation of the order will be liable for penal action as per the relevant rules, it statedd.
The request for usage of loud speakers for various purposes are considered based on specific terms and conditions and permits issued accordingly by this office from time to time, it added.
