Hisar: Election rallies cannot be held in the grounds of schools and colleges: Pradeep Dahiya

Hisar, 7 May (Hissar). Under the Lok Sabha general elections, political parties and candidates will not be given permission from the Election Commission to use the playgrounds of schools and colleges for election rallies. District Election Officer Pradeep Dahiya said on Tuesday that the sentiments of voters will not be influenced on the basis of caste, religion, community during the election campaign and high standards will have to be maintained during the election campaign.

He said that the citizens of India have the right to freedom of expression under the Constitution, but the objective of the Model Code of Conduct is contained under its various provisions. He said that during the election campaign, no temple, mosque, church, gurudwara or other religious place will be used for election campaign, nor will speeches, posters, music, election related material be used in them. It will be mandatory for the Election Commission of India to maintain a party-wise register to monitor cases of election code of conduct violations. The register will have to record the name of the candidate, campaigner and political party and a brief note of the date of violation, proceedings, orders passed by the election office or the Election Commission.

The District Election Officer said that the Election Commission of India issues new guidelines from time to time to conduct the Lok Sabha elections in a fair and transparent manner. All the candidates and political parties contesting the elections are appealed to ensure that they follow the instructions issued by the Election Commission. Action will be taken as per rules on violation of Model Code of Conduct.