Haryana Elections: Campaigning Ends on October 3, Voting on October 5
Chandigarh (Haryana) [India] September 30: The election campaigning for the 15th Haryana Legislative Assembly Elections-2024 will end at 6 PM on October 3. After this time, no political party or candidate can hold public meetings or rallies, as per the Election Commission’s guidelines.
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Pankaj Agarwal, stated that under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, all campaigning must stop during the 48-hour period leading up to the end of voting. This means no public meetings, election-related material on TV or other devices, or entertainment forms like music concerts can be used for campaigning. Loudspeakers are also banned during this period.
Voting for all 90 Assembly constituencies in Haryana will take place on October 5 from 7 AM to 6 PM. No candidate or political party is allowed to campaign within a 200-meter radius of a polling booth. Violations of Section 126 (1) could result in up to two years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.
All ministers, members of Parliament and State Legislative, and other political functionaries with security must leave the constituency 48 hours before the close of the poll. Only the candidate and their election agent can stay, while other party workers, leaders, or campaigners who are not voters of the constituency must leave the area.
Under Section 126 (1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, any election-related content displayed on television or similar devices during the 48-hour ‘silent period’ before the close of voting is prohibited. However, print media advertisements are allowed if pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC).
Additionally, under Section-126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, exit polls and their results are banned from the start of voting until half an hour after polling ends. Violators may face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both. All media houses are advised to follow these instructions.
Doubts Revealed
Haryana -: Haryana is a state in northern India. It is known for its rich culture and history.
Elections -: Elections are a process where people vote to choose their leaders. In this case, people in Haryana will vote to choose members of the Legislative Assembly.
Campaigning -: Campaigning is when candidates and their supporters try to convince people to vote for them. They do this by giving speeches, holding rallies, and using posters and advertisements.
Legislative Assembly -: The Legislative Assembly is a group of people who make laws for the state. In Haryana, there are 90 members in the Legislative Assembly.
Constituencies -: Constituencies are specific areas in a state. Each constituency elects one member to the Legislative Assembly.
Exit polls -: Exit polls are surveys taken right after people vote. They try to predict the results of the election before the official count is done.
Imprisonment -: Imprisonment means being put in jail as a punishment for breaking the law.
Fines -: Fines are money that people have to pay as a punishment for breaking the law.
