No outsider can stay in Ludhiana West after end of bypoll campaigning on June 17

Effective from 6 pm on Tuesday, until the completion of polling on Thursday, individuals who are not registered voters of the Ludhiana West Assembly segment, are involved in the election process, or hold leadership positions in political parties are prohibited from staying within the constituency. This restriction aims to maintain the integrity of the electoral process by limiting external influence.

To enforce these measures, no accommodation within the Ludhiana West Assembly jurisdiction, including hotels, hostels, guesthouses, motels, inns, community halls, PG accommodations, or similar establishments, may house non-registered voters from other districts or states during the restricted period.

The Ludhiana police, Ludhiana West returning officer, and district dood, civil supplies, and excise and taxation officers have been directed to ensure compliance. Their duties include monitoring accommodation to prevent outsiders from staying, inspecting marriage halls and community centers for unauthorised occupants, verifying guest lists at lodges and guest houses, and setting up check posts at constituency borders to monitor vehicle movements.

The district election officer emphasised the need to inform all political parties, candidates, and agents about these orders to ensure transparency and adherence. Public announcements regarding the restrictions on non-registered voters will be made across the Ludhiana West Assembly segment.

Jain encouraged residents to vote freely without external influence.

To further ensure compliance, enforcement agencies, including flying squad teams, static surveillance teams, and excise officials, have been instructed to establish high-tech check posts, particularly during the final 72 hours before polling. All vehicles, including light vehicles and lorries, will undergo thorough inspections.

The transportation of electronic voting machines will be conducted under central armed police forces supervision in GPS-equipped vehicles with police escorts.

Additionally, 66 micro-observers will be deployed at polling booths to closely monitor proceedings, ensuring peaceful and transparent elections.

Per the Election Commission of India’s directives, no opinion or exit polls may be conducted by any person, channel, or portal during the last 48 hours before polling.

Jain stated that a paid holiday has been declared on Thursday to allow the voters of the Ludhiana West Assembly segment to cast their votes for the bypoll. The district election officer further said that every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote in the Ludhiana West bypoll will be granted a paid holiday. No deduction or abatement of the wages of any such person shall be made on account of a holiday. Further, if an employer contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), then such employer shall be punishable with fine.