CEO prohibits public meetings, election matter display to public

Chennai, May 4 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta today announced prohibition on electioneering 48 hours before May eight, Assembly polls.

In a statement here, he said as per the Representation of the People Act, no person should convene, attend or address any public meeting or procession in connection with the election or display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph or television.

No one should propagate any election matter to the public by holding any musical concert or theatrical performance or any other entertainment with a view to attracting the public, he said.

Mr Gupta warned that any person who contravened the Act would be punishable with imprisonment for a term which might extend up to two years or fine or both.

He said the expression 'election matter' meant any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election.

Stating that the Election Commission had clarified that no political campaign could be taken up during the period, he said the restriction would also apply specifically to the electronic media.

During the restricted period, news, press conference and news analysis on election-related matter could be telecast/broadcast in a balanced matter.

However, it would not be correct to provide coverage to an individual candidate and parties in programmes like 'Meet your candidate,' 'Face to face with a politician' and ' A day in the life of national/regional leader,' he added.

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