The curtain on election campaign fell at 8am today, 48 hours ahead of the start of voting for the January 5 election, reports UNB. As per the election rules, now all types of rally, procession and showdown are prohibited in the election areas till 4pm on January 7. No one can call or join any rally, or can organise or attend any procession or showdown in the election areas 48 hours before and after the voting, according to article 78 of the Representation of the People Order 1972. Besides, nobody will be able to resort to any disordered behaviour or intimidation and coercion to voters or people engaged in election duty or brandish or use any arms during the period. If any one does so, s/he will be jailed for at least two years and maximum seven years and be awarded pecuniary punishment. Moreover, the Election Commission imposed the restriction on the movement of taxicab, auto-rickshaw, microbus, jeep, car, pickup van, private car, bus, truck, tempo, launch, easy-bike, engine-driven boat, speedboat from January 4 midnight (12am) to January 5 midnight (12am) in the election areas across the country. However, the restriction will be applicable for taxicab, microbus, pickup van, jeep in metropolitan areas. Apart from this, the restriction was imposed on driving motorcycle from January 3 midnight to January 7 midnight. But the order will not be applicable for candidates, law-enforcement agencies, administration, approved election observers, election agents. However, observers and polling agents will have to use the stickers issued by the Election Commission in that case, said a commission press release. The voting will start at 8am on January 5 and continue till 4pm without any break.
-With UNB/The News Today input
