Pune: Police Enforce Strict Measures Ahead of Assembly Polls, Ban Mobile Phones, Public Gatherings
Pune, November 18, 2024: In preparation for the Maharashtra assembly elections, Pune Police has announced strict measures to ensure peaceful and fair polling. Joint Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Pune City Police, Ranjan Kumar Sharma issued orders on November 16, banning the use of mobile phones within 100 metres of polling stations. The ban has been implemented under the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and also includes a ban on photography, videography and carrying flammable material.
Along with this, the police have banned activities like illegal gatherings, public meetings and padyatras in all assembly constituencies in the city from November 18 to midnight of November 20, 2024. Gathering of five or more people has also been banned in these areas. Legal action will be taken against those violating the order under Section 223 of the Indian Penal Code.
The order also states that government officials or persons associated with political parties who are not voters of the respective constituencies will not be allowed to be present or conduct activities inside the polling booths. These steps are aimed at maintaining peace and preventing any kind of interference or disruption.
The mobile phone ban has caused some discontent among voters, as many voters depend on their phones for their voter slips and other tasks. Voters have demanded facilities like safe trays at polling stations where they can temporarily deposit their phones. The mobile ban had led to a lot of chaos during the May 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when voters struggled to keep their devices in a safe place.
District Collector Dr Suhas Diwase described these measures as necessary to create an atmosphere of peace, security and justice. Apart from the ban on mobile phones, public gatherings and public meetings, all shops, restaurants, carts, loudspeakers and other business activities within a distance of 100 metres from polling stations have also been banned.
Returning officer of Chinchwad assembly constituency Anil Pawar has said that these instructions will be strictly implemented and warned that legal action will be taken against those who violate the rules.
