May 23, 2024, Haryana – Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal said that the election parties for the Lok Sabha General Election-2024 being held in the state will leave for the election centers today on the 24th . In the work of the election party going on election duty , if any anti-social elements or political parties create any kind of obstacle in their duty due to their influence, strict action will be taken against them as per the rules .
Agarwal said that the process of first appointment of polling parties has been done on 24th April and the training work has been done on 6th May , 2024 . The second randomization has been completed on May 10 and training on May 19 . Now on May 24, all these polling parties will leave for their respective election centers . He said that in Haryana Lok Sabha General Election-2024 and Karnal Vidhan Sabha by-election will be held on May 25 . All its preparations have been completed .
He said that if a person’s behavior inside the polling center is not correct or violates the orders of the presiding officer, he will be thrown out of the polling center by the policeman on duty . Even after that, if that person re-enters the polling center without the permission of the presiding officer, he will be arrested . Under Section 132 of the Representation of the People Act , 1951, he will be dealt with as per rules and may be punished with 3 months imprisonment or fine or both .
On bringing weapons to the election center Provision of imprisonment for 2 years
He said that except the returning officer, presiding officer , police officer or any other person who has been deployed on duty to maintain peace and order inside the polling center , if any person comes to the polling center with a weapon. If so, it will be considered a crime . For this, under Section 134B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 , the punishment can be 2 years imprisonment or fine or both .
The Chief Electoral Officer said that if the presiding officer for any reason feels that a person has removed the ballot paper or EVM outside the polling centre, he can arrest that person or direct the police officer to arrest him. Or can instruct him to hide . Under Section 135 of the Representation of People Act , 1951 , that person can be punished with one year imprisonment or fine or both .
On fraudulently erasing the authorized mark on the ballot paper or EVM Provision of imprisonment up to 2 years
He said that under Section 136 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, if a person fraudulently defaces or destroys any ballot paper or EVM or the authorized mark on any ballot paper or EVM, it is an offense with intent to commit an election. Or puts anything other than the ballot paper in a ballot box , or pastes any paper, tape etc. on the symbol/name/ . In this situation, if this crime is committed by an officer or clerk posted on election duty, then 2 years imprisonment or fine or both can be punished . If this crime is committed by another person, he can be punished with 6 months imprisonment or fine or both .
Further , if a person intentionally causes simple or grievous hurt or assaults a public official to prevent him from discharging his responsibilities, he shall be liable to imprisonment for 2 years under Sections 332, 333 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code. 10 years imprisonment and fine will be imposed .
