Assam assembly polls: Campaigning to stop as EC enforces silence period from today

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday announced that the silence period for the Assam legislative assembly elections will begin today at 5.00 pm, marking 48 hours prior to the conclusion of polling across all constituencies.In accordance with Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, all forms of election campaigning will be prohibited during this period. This includes public meetings, rallies, processions and any other campaign-related activities. The Commission has also imposed a ban on the dissemination of election-related content through electronic and social media platforms. Canvassing via bulk SMS, phone calls and online channels will not be allowed.Further, political leaders and party workers brought in from outside constituencies, who are not registered voters there, have been instructed to leave immediately after the campaign period ends. District and police authorities have been directed to ensure strict compliance in order to maintain a free and fair electoral process, news agency ANI reported.Additionally, under Section 126(1)(b) of the Act, the display of election-related content, including opinion polls and survey results, on electronic media such as television is prohibited during the silence period.Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, Anurag Goel, urged all stakeholders to adhere to the guidelines, warning that violations would attract penal action.Meanwhile, Union minister JP Nadda said, "There is an atmosphere in favour of the BJP, in favour of the NDA. The NDA is receiving unanimous support from all sections of society. The work that Modi ji has done in Assam, the blessings he has bestowed upon Assam, and the way Himanta Biswa Sarma ji has implemented it at the grassroots level, are being welcomed by the people of Assam."Polling in Assam will be conducted in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The CEO of Kerala, Dr Rathan U Kelkar also announced on Monday that election campaigning in the state will end at 6 pm today, ahead of the Assembly polls, and outlined strict restrictions to be enforced during the 48-hour “silence period.”