Election: Political parties, candidates must ensure that ‘criminals’ are not ‘appointed’ at election booths: Collector Siddharam Salimath

Ahmednagar | November 17

Election Collector Siddharam Salimath has stated that individuals involved in criminal activities will not be permitted to serve at election booths. He urged political parties and candidates to take responsibility for ensuring compliance.

He further clarified that election booths of candidates must not be set up within a 200-meter radius of polling stations. If multiple polling booths are located within the same building or premises, only one booth per candidate can be established beyond the 200-meter limit for all such polling booths.

Each booth may consist of one table, two chairs, and a small tent not exceeding 10 x 10 feet in size. Permission from the Election Decision Officer, government authorities, and local authorities is mandatory for setting up polling booths. Care must be taken to ensure that polling booths do not encroach on public or private property, and they must not be erected in religious places, educational institutions, or hospital premises. Additionally, party flags and symbols are not allowed to be displayed at these booths.

Election booths may only be used for distributing non-official voter information slips. These slips must not bear the name of the political party or the symbol of the candidate. It is crucial to ensure that voters arriving at the polling stations are not hindered or influenced by individuals present at the election booths. Campaigning within a 200-meter radius of polling stations is strictly prohibited. The use of mobile phones or wireless sets within a 100-meter radius of polling stations is also prohibited, except for election inspectors appointed by the Election Commission and authorized election or police personnel. Furthermore, as per Section 134(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, no person other than those permitted under the Act may carry or display weapons in or around polling stations.

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