Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, IAS has notified that as per Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the campaigning period for bye-election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly from 14-Southern Angami-I (ST) Assembly Constituency and 60-Pungro-Kiphire (ST) Assembly Constituency shall come to an end at 4 pm on November 1, after which there will be prohibition of public meeting during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll.
After the end of the campaigning period, the CEO said no person shall convene, hold or attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with the election; or display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus; or propagate any election matter to the public by holding, or by arranging the holding of, any musical concert or any theatrical performance or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public.
The CEO warned that any person who contravenes the provision shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or fined, or both.
Further, as per the directives of the Election Commission, the CEO notified that the District Election administration / Police administration shall ensure that all political functionaries who are not voters of the constituency going for bye-elections shall leave the constituency immediately after the campaign period is over.
In another notification the CEO notified that conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicizing by means of the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, the result of any exit poll in connection with the bye-elections shall be prohibited during the period between 6 am on November 3 (Tuesday) and 6:30 pm on November 7 (Saturday).
The CEO further clarified that under Section 126(1)(b) of the R.P. Act, 1951, displaying any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, would be prohibited during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for conclusion of poll for the bye-elections.
- Agencies