Bhubaneswar: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha Sushil Kumar Lohani today issued guidelines for the Pipili bypoll scheduled to be held on September 30 and announced that ‘Model Code of Conduct’ comes into force in the district of Puri with immediate effect.
Addressing a presser here today Lohani said that since Pipili Assembly Constituency has already availed the campaign period from April 29 to May 5, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to allow campaign period from September 20 only.
Lohani informed that Electoral Roll published 01.01.2021 which was updated and progress as on the last date of Nomination will be treated as the Electoral Roll for this purpose.
While stating that EVM & VVPAT will be used for the polling, the CEO said, “We have sufficient quantity of EVM & VVPAT already available with us”.
For identification of voter in addition to EPIC, 11 other document as prescribed earlier will be utilized, Lohani said.
Broad guidelines to be followed during the campaign period issued by the CEO are as under:
i) Meeting in Indoor locations-30% capacity or 200 persons whichever is less. A register has to be maintained.
ii) Outdoor-1000 in case of Star Campaigners, 50% of capacity of ground or 500 in other case.
iii) Star Campaigner: Number restricted to 20 instead of 30 for National / State recognized parties and 10 for on recognized political Parties instead of 15.
iv) No roadshow to be allowed, no motor, Bike, Cycle Rally to be allowed
v) Street Meeting with 50 persons following COVID protocol
vi) Door to door campaign with S persons including candidates
vii) Not more than 50 audiences in one cluster point subject to availability and compliance of COVID protocols in case of Video Vans
viii) Total vehicles allowed for a candidate / political parties excluding Star Campaigner = 20 with 50% capacity.
ix) Silence period 72 hours instead of 48 hours
x) All poll-related activities to be performed by all concerned following COVID -19 guidelines issued by State Government.
xi) Special distancing use of Mask, Sanitizer, Thermal Scanning, face shield, Hand Gloves etc. as per COVID protocol have to be complied.
xii) Chief Secretary and DG and district level authorities will be responsible for monitoring, supervising and compliance of COVID -19 guidelines.
xiii) If a candidate or political party violates any of the above guidelines no more permission shall be given to the candidate/party for rallies, meetings etc.
xiv) If any Star Campaigner violates the COVID protocol, he shall not be allowed to campaign further in that Constituency.
xv) All polling personnel and election officials including private persons engaged in the election duty shall be double vaccinated before taking their service.
xvi) Candidate/Election Agent/Polling Agent/Counting Agent/Driver etc. whoever is coming in contact with the public or election officials have to be double vaccinated.
xvii) One health worker to be appointed as COVID Nodal Officer for each polling station.
As per the schedule for the Bye Election announced by the ECI, polling will be held on September 30 and counting of votes will be held on October 3.
