LAW AND ORDER

Use of Loudspeakers at General election & Bye-election- regarding.

Election Commission's letter No. 3/8/96/J.S.II, Dated : 3rd April, 1996, addressed to (1) The Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories and (2) The Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories.
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Subject :- Use of Loudspeakers at general election & bye-election - Reg.

I am directed to invite a reference to the Commission's message No.509/81/94-J.S-I dated 13th May and letter no 3/8/ES006/94/JSII, dated 1st September, 1994 on the subject cited. In the former it was intimated that the use of loudspeakers on moving vehicles shall be permitted from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. instead of from 8.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. subject to the conditions mentioned in the Commission's order No.3/8/94/J.S.II dated 13.01.1994

2. In the latter communication dated Ist September, 1994 the Commission had also directed that the State authorities concerned with the grant of permission to hold public meetings or to take out processions, etc., where these loudspeakers are used, should so regulate, under the local laws, these public meetings/processions that the same are not continued till the late hours in the night. Normally, such meetings/processions should not be allowed to continue beyond 10 p.m. in the night. They should also be subject to the local laws, local perceptions of the security requirements of the area, and all other relevant considerations like weather conditions, festival season, examination period, etc., etc.,

3. The Commission has now reviewed the matter and has decided to relax its instructions further to give adequate opportunities to the political parties and candidates for electioneering during elections. It has decided that restrictions regarding use of loudspeakers, regulation of public meetings/processions beyond 10.00 p.m. (night) may be relaxed in specific cases and the same may be allowed, subject to the local laws, till midnight, keeping in view the necessity for campaigning. But at the same time, due consideration should be given to the disturbance to the peace and tranquility of the general public, the student community, the aged, the infirm and the sick. The loudspeakers, however, under any circumstances shall not be allowed beyond midnight.

4. The Commission has also directed that Returning Officers shall bring this relaxation to the notice of the political parties and candidates and ensure vide publicity to the contents of this letter for the information of general public.

5. Kindly acknowledge receipt.



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