Port Blair, April 8: In order to uphold the integrity of the electoral process to achieve the predominant object by ensuring level playing field towards conduct of free, fair, peaceful and inducement-free elections, the Election Commission of India has issued strict Poll Day instructions on movement of vehicles and prohibitions on canvassing near Polling Stations & Candidate Election Booth, which have been summarized as under:

-Each contesting candidate, on the Poll Day will be entitled for one vehicle for his own use in respect of the entire constituency. In addition, one vehicle for use of his election agent is allowed. The Poll Day permission of respective vehicles to be displayed prominently on the wind-screen of the vehicles meticulously. Moreover, illegal hiring of vehicles for the conveyance of voters during Poll Day is a corrupt practise and an electoral offence, inviting strict action.

-More than 5 persons in a vehicle including driver is not allowed.

-Private vehicles utilised by owners for themselves/family members for going to Polling Booth to cast vote is allowed upto a radius of 200 meter of Polling station.

-Act of canvasing for votes, soliciting the vote of an elector, persuading any elector not to vote for any particular candidate, persuading any elector not to vote at the election, exhibiting any notice or sign relating to the election are strictly prohibited within 100 meters radius of the Polling Station.

-Candidate Election Booth is allowed to be set up beyond a distance of 200 meters from the Polling Station with one table and two chairs for the use of their agents/workers for distribution of unofficial identity slips to voters. Moreover, to protect from sun/rain, they may use an umbrella or a piece of tarpaulin over their head.

The electorates of A&N Islands Parliamentary Constituency have been appealed to be informed voters and to contribute their share for upholding the democratic principles of free, fair and transparent elections. The Date of Poll (Phase-I) in ANIPC is on 19/04/2024 (Friday) and Hours of Poll from 7 am to 6 pm.