Lakhimpur district administration stresses free-and-fair elections in four LACs

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The Lakhimpur district administration has laid emphasis on conduct of free and fair polls on March 27 in four Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs) of the district, viz - No. 109 Bihpuria LAC, No 110 Naoboicha LAC, No. 111 Lakhimpur LAC and No. 112 Dhakuakhana LAC.

In this regard, newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of the district, Khageswar Pegu, while interacting with media persons, appealed to all to promote the democratic value by taking part in the electioneering process. He further called upon the new voters of the district to come forward to exercise their democratic right with enthusiasm. He also called upon all to remain aware and alert against any non-democratic forces and phenomena that might lead to any untoward occurrence, interrupting the electioneering process.

The Model Code of Conduct came into force in the district from February 26 after the Assam Legislative Assembly Election, 2021 was announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer (DEO) requested all the citizens to cooperate with the district election machinery by following all rules and restrictions so that a free and fair election guided by the idea of ethical voting could be successfully conducted.

Through a press communique issued by the DEO, people have been appealed not to carry excess cash without proper documents as Flying Squads and Statistical Surveillance Teams have been activated on the ground to check the illegal transportation of cash and liquor. According to the press communique, there will be regular checking of vehicles. During the checking, if any cash exceeding Rs. 50,000 is found in a vehicle carrying a candidate, his agent, or party workers or carrying posters or election materials or any drugs, liquor, arms or gift items which are valued at more than Rs. 10,000, likely to be used for inducement of voters or any other illicit articles are found in a vehicle, they will be subject to seizure.

As per section 171B of Indian Penal Code, any person giving or accepting any gratification in cash or kind during the election process, with a view to inducing the person to exercise his electoral right, is punishable with imprisonment up to one year or with fine or with both. Flying Squads have been formed to register cases against both the giver and taker of bribe and for taking action against those who are engaged in threat to and intimidation of voters.

Moreover, all citizens have been requested to refrain from taking any bribe, and in case, anybody offers any bribe or is having knowledge about the bribe or cases of threat or intimidation of voters, he can inform on the toll free number 03752-1950 of the 24-hour Complaint Monitoring Cell of the district, set up for receiving the complaints.

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