Tura, November 11, 2024: The Returning Officer to 56-Gambegre (ST) Legislative Assembly Constituency has issued an Order under Section 163 of the BNSS prohibiting all the candidates and political parties from election campaigning exercises namely, public meetings, rallies, processions, etc during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of poll during the electioneering exercises to 56-Gambegre (ST) Constituency (Bye- Elections to Legislative Assembly Constituency 2024).

Since the poll day is on 13th November, 2024 and therefore, the public meetings and processions shall be closed at 4:00 PM of 11th November, 2024 till the last hour of the poll.

Further, the order also directs political functionaries or party workers, etc who have been brought from outside the Constituency and who are not voters of the Constituency to leave the Constituency immediately after the campaign period is over. Use of loudspeakers during the period of 48 hours ending with the poll closing time is also prohibited.

It was also mentioned that restrictions under 163 of the BNSS order do not permit more than 5 persons to assemble or move together in the area, however, the commission has clarified that this does not restrict house-to-house visits during 48 hours in connection with door-to-door campaigning.

Moreover, the order also prohibits Exit polls under law from the period from the start of the poll on the first poll day and 30 minutes after the end of poll on the last poll date. It also prohibits that no result of any Opinion Poll conducted at any time, be published, publicized or disseminated, in any manner whatsoever, in or by any print or electronic media, 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for conclusion of poll.

This order shall extend to the entire West Garo Hills District and shall come into force with effect from 4:00 PM of 11th November, 2024 and will remain in force until completion of Poll process.