Collector Thakur Ram Singh has asked all the political parties to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct enforced for the civic polls next month while holding a meeting in the District Collectorate here on Saturday.
The Collector informed representatives of political parties present in the meeting about expense limits and other guidelines laid down for the polls.“This time, electronic voting machines (EVMs) and photo-voter identity cards will be used in the polls,” he said.
While informing about arrangements made by the Election Commission, Singh said that the nominations for Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) polls will be received at eight designated points in the Collectorate. Similarly, candidates contesting in the municipal council polls will be able to submit their nomination at the local level. As many as 1,050 polling booths will be set up in the district, out of which, 885 will be for RMC polls.
The district administration has clamped Section 144 in the district and thus, no one is allowed to carry arms. Directives have been issued to holder of arms to submit them in the nearest police station. No procession will be allowed without requisite permission and no ground of educational institution could be used as venue for holding meetings. Permission will be required for playing loud speakers while there will be a ban on playing loud speakers between 10pm and 6 am.
No government and semi-government building, electric pole and tree could be used for poll campaigning while consent of the house owner will be required for writing on the walls. The Collector informed that the political parties will be required to apply in the prescribed format before releasing advertisement in the electronic media.
Distribution of poll material and counting will be done in the Government Engineering College, Sejbahar. A Strong Room will be established in the college to deposit the election material back after counting of votes gets over. Superintendent of Police OP Pal assured in the meeting that adequate security arrangements will be made to maintain peace during the conduct of polls. The City Police has established a separate Control Room (Mobile: 9479191099, telephone: 0771-4287100) to receive complaints related to the polls, he added. Additional Collector, MD Kavare, Additional District Nagistrate, Sanjay Agrawal and representatives from different political parties were present.