Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Dr S Karuna Raju on Monday appointed Punjab Pollution Control Board environment engineer Kuldeep Kumar to monitor the issues related to compliance of norms of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 during ensuing period of Model Code of Conduct.
Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Dr S Karuna Raju said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued detailed instructions regarding use of loudspeakers or any sound amplifier for publicity by candidates during Lok Sabha Elections 2019.
“There should be no use of loud speakers, public address system or loudspeaker or any sound amplifier between 10 pm and 6 am...Use of such sound system, whether fitted on vehicles of any kind whatsoever or in static position, were prohibited for public meeting, general propaganda during the specified hours,” read the instructions.
Dr Raju said that the loudspeakers, being used beyond the given hours, would be confiscated along with all apparatus connected. “Political parties candidates or any other persons using loudspeakers on moving vehicles, including but not restricted to trucks, tempos, taxis, vans, three wheeler scooters, cycle rickshaws, etc shall intimate registration identification number of those vehicle to the authorities granting permission to use loudspeakers and such registration identification numbers of the vehicles shall be indicated on the permits granted by the authorities concerned,” he added.
“Any vehicle, on which a loudspeaker is used without the said written permit, shall be confiscated along with the loudspeaker and all the apparatus used,” he added.
Dr Raju said that all political parties, candidates and even other person using a loudspeaker either on a moving vehicle or at a fixed place shall intimate the Returning Officer and local Police authorities, in writing.
CEO has directed that it should be ensured by the concerned authorities of state pollution control board that decibels of the sound generated by loud speakers or amplifiers does not exceed the permissible limits in industrial area by 75 decibel during day time and 70 decibel during night time, in commercial area by 65 decibel in a day time and 55 decibel during night time, in residential area by 55 decibel in a day time and 45 decibel during night time and in silence zone by 50 decibel in a day time and 40 decibel during night time as fixed under relevant law or guidelines prevailed in the state.
ECI’s MOBILE APPS TO HELP CITIZENS
Chandigarh: To ensure electoral participation of the techno-savvy youth besides simplifying poll-related works and bringing its functioning in tune with the changing times, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has gone for multiple initiatives in IT sphere.
These novel initiatives involve starting of many mobile voter friendly apps, websites as well as helpline which can be used by candidates and political parties to submit mandatory filings or statements or request certain permissions apart from being extremely helpful to the citizens.
Suvidha App: A single window system for both candidates and political parties to apply for permissions before conducting meetings, rallies, etc, and can also be done through the Android app, with the ECI’s directions to give permissions within 24 hours once candidates or parties make a request
cVIGIL: It enables users to provide time-stamped, evidence-based proof of the model code of conduct or expenditure violation, having live photo or video with auto location data. Any citizen can lodge a complaint through the app, which would be investigated by the flying squad and returning officer then takes the decision.
Voter Helpline: App provides convenience to all citizens for finding their names in electoral roll, submitting online forms, checking application status, filing complaints and receiving reply on their mobile app besides knowing contact details of booth level officers, electoral registration officers and district election officers, by using voter helpline mobile App or through www.nvsp.in portal or by calling 1950 helpline number. Services through SMS can also be availed by citizens by sending SMS without any cost to 1950 and all forms, results, candidate affidavits, press notes, voter awareness and important instructions are available through the app
PwD App: It enables the Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to request for new registration, change in address, change in particulars and mark themselves as PwD through the use of mobile application by simply entering their contact details, and the booth level officer is assigned to provide doorstep facility. PwDs can also request for a wheelchair during polling.