Restrictions have been imposed on presence of political functionaries in Imphal West District under 1-Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, and the publication and dissemination of Result of Exit Polls by means of the print or electronic media or disseminate in any other manner within the polling areas of Imphal West from 4 pm of April 17 till the completion of the polling.

An order issued by district electoral officer, Imphal West Th Kirankumar on Sunday stated that as per Section 126 A of RP Act, 1951, no person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the print or electronic media or disseminate in any other manner, whatsoever, the result of any exit poll during the last 48 hours period starting from the 4 pm of April 17 till the completion of the poll.

The restriction is imposed in view of statutory provision as given in the Section 126 and 126 A of Representation of Peoples Act 1951 and as per schedule of polling hours fixed by the Election Commission of India, it mentioned.

Under Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, election campaigns shall come to an end in the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the closing of the poll, it stated.

As per the Election Commissions of India's letter No. 464/INST/2007-PLL-1 dated the 8 January, 2007, it has been stated that after the closure of campaign period no campaign take place within the Constituency, presence of political functionary/campaign who have been brought from outside the Constituencies and who are not voters of the Constituency should not continue to remain present in the Constituency as their continue presence after campaign end may undermined the atmosphere for free and fair polls, it mentioned.

The Commission has directed that, after the campaign period is over District Election Administration/Police Administration shall ensure that all such functionaries shall leave the Constituency immediately after the campaign period is over and this shall be brought to the notice of all political party, candidate and their agents in order to enable to complied, it added.

Meanwhile, the use of loudspeakers during the period of last 48 hours i.e. from 4 pm of April 17 till the conclusion of poll has been strictly prohibited for the free and fair conduct of the upcoming elections.

An order issued by district election officer, Imphal West Th Kirankumar on Sunday stated that with the announcement of Election on March 16, permits for loud speaker for public meetings etc. for election purpose has been restricted between 10 pm to 6 am of the following day as per the Election Commission of India's letter No. 3/8/2000J.S. II dated 26.09.2005.

The Election Commission's letter No. 3/8/2000J.S.Il dated December 26, 2000, stated that no loudspeaker fitted on vehicles of any kind or in any other manner whatsoever shall be permitted to be used during the period of last 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for the conclusion of the poll in any polling area, it mentioned.

The Election Commission of India has fixed the poll hour of the ensuing 18th General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024 from the 1-Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency from 7 am to 4 pm of April 19, it mentioned.

Requests for usage of loudspeakers for various purposes are considered based on specific terms and conditions and permits issued by this Office from time to time, it stated.  Any violation of the order will be liable for penal action as per the relevant rules, it added.