Three constituencies of Jharkhand –Lohardaga, Palamu, Chatra-- are set to go to polls today, marking the beginning of the 17th General Elections in the State.
According to figures released by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Sunday, at least 45 lakh voters will exercise their franchise on Monday.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) L Khiangte on Sunday said that any political party cannot seek votes within 100 meters radius of a polling booth. Any person caught violating this norm will be arrested without any warrant and booked under section 130 of Peoples Representation Act, 1951.
The ECI guidelines also said that no political parties can set up stalls within the radius of 200 meters of any polling booth. If any candidate or his supporters are found violating this norm, the ECI will take necessary actions, Khiangte said.
“Tampering of EVM is an electoral offense and any person found tampering or taking away the EVM from the polling booth or instigate other persons to commit such crimes will be punishable as per the law,” he said.
Since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, a total of Rs.1.64 crores, including cash as well as kinds, have been seized from the three constituencies going to polls in the first phase of elections in Jharkhand.