In order to ensure transparent and peaceful completion of bye-election to Jind Assembly Constituency, the Election Commission would depute photographers at sensitive and highly sensitive polling centres and micro observers at all the polling centres.
Also, there would be a ban on bringing mobile phone in the polling centres.
“The micro observers would be officers of Central Government rather than Haryana Government,” said Saurabh Bhagat, general observer appointed for bye-elections to Jind Assembly Constituency.
He presided over a meeting with officers and representatives of different political parties and candidates at Mini Secretariat, Jind on Tuesday.
He said that all preparations related to bye-election are being completed rapidly.
He directed the representatives of different political parties and candidates to ensure compliance of model code of conduct.
Bhagat said that for the first time, VVPAT machines are being used at all polling centres to ensure fair and transparent completion of bye-elections. It will enable the voter to know that the vote cast by him or her through EVM has gone to the account of his desired candidate or not.
Election expenditure observer, SKH. Meshram said that candidates can spend up to Rs 28 lakh on election works.
He directed the representatives of different political parties and candidates to get checked the expenditure to be made on January 16, 20, 24 and 27. Each candidate should have at least one bank account through which the candidate can spend money for election expenditure.
He made it clear that candidates would have to take permission for vehicles to be used in elections. The Election Commission would depute photographers at sensitive and highly sensitive polling centres. There would be ban on bringing mobile phone in the polling centres, he added.
Returning Officer, Jind Assembly Constituency, Virender Singh Sehrawat informed that additional security arrangements have been made at sensitive and highly sensitive polling centres.
Officers of Haryana Police and personnel of different forces would be deputed at these polling centres.
The candidates would have to take permission for use of loudspeakers during election campaign. The loudspeakers could be used only between 6 am to 10 pm, he added.
A total of 21 candidates are in the fray for Jind assembly seat. Jind is witnessing a three-cornered electoral battle, with the Congress’ sitting MLA Randeep Singh Surjewala, Jannayak Janta Party’s Digvijay Chautala and BJP’s Krishan Middha, son of late INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha, in the fray.
The INLD has fielded Umed Singh Redhu for the bye-election to retain its Jind assembly seat.
