As the ‘silent period’ with regard to the General Election comes into effect from midnight yesterday, a total of 6,483 complaints of violation of election laws were reported but not a single violence case had been reported as of Saturday (1), according to the Election Commission.
The Election Commission said that a total of 1,128 complaints related to violation of election laws were reported to the National Election Complaints Management Centre while 5,355 complaints were reported to the District Election Complaints Management Centres.
Meanwhile, carrying-out propaganda activities for the General Election is prohibited from midnight yesterday.
The National Election Commission announced that the ‘silent period’ will allow the public time to evaluate the policies presented by candidates, before casting the ballot on August 5.
During the ‘silent period’, the Election Commission said it will carry out a number of poll-related activities including preparation of polling centres, officers reporting for polling duties, transporting ballot boxes and the deployment of security officers.
During this period, political parties, independent groups and candidates have been banned from conducting propaganda meetings, conducting pocket meetings, visiting residences to canvass, distributing handbills, displaying advertisements, posters, placards and banners.
The Election Commission instructed all police officers through the Acting Inspector General of Police to pursue legal action to prevent illegal activities from taking place during the ‘silent period’.
The Commission requested political parties, independent groups and candidates to extend support for the conduct of a free and fair election and to abstain from carrying-out illegal propaganda activities.
Courtesy: Daily Mirror
