Dharwad: The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and banned the sale, consumption and transportation of liquor from 4pm on Oct 21 till midnight on Oct 23 ahead of the biennial election to the Karnataka legislative council from the West Graduates’ Constituency.Deputy commissioner and district magistrate Snehal R issued the orders to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling. Voting will be held from 8am to 4pm on Oct 23, while counting is scheduled for Oct 27.Invoking Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the administration has prohibited gatherings of more than five people, processions and public meetings during the period. Carrying weapons, including firearms, knives, swords and sticks, has also been banned.Campaigning within 100 metres of polling stations will be prohibited on polling day. Mobile phones and other electronic devices will not be allowed within the restricted perimeter, except for officials and staff on election duty. Loudspeakers and campaign posters and banners are also prohibited.Xerox shops, bookstalls and cybercafes have been directed to remain closed during the specified period. Provocative speeches, songs, slogans and activities that could disturb public order are banned. Funeral, wedding and religious processions are exempt, subject to applicable rules.Public campaigning must end at 4pm on Oct 21, and voters from outside the constituency who entered for campaigning must leave thereafter. Door-to-door campaigning by candidates is exempt.Meanwhile, DC Snehal instructed polling personnel to strictly follow Election Commission guidelines. She said ballot papers, not EVMs, would be used and directed staff to ensure they remained clean and unmarked, maintain voting secrecy and guide electors on correctly folding ballots before placing them in ballot boxes.
About The Author
