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With Kerala going to the polls on April 26, election campaigning in the state for the Lok Sabha election will end today (April 24) at 6 PM.
Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said that everyone must strictly adhere to the code of conduct. During the last 48 hours, only silent campaigning is permissible, and any gathering of people or organizing of public meetings will be dealt with under Criminal Procedure Code Section 144, said the official.' The use of loudspeakers and organizing of rallies and processions are prohibited. No kind of performance (like cinema, television shows, advertisements, music events, dramas, and other similar displays, opinion polls, poll surveys, and exit polls) that could influence the election outcome is allowed. Violators could face imprisonment, fines, or both. Exit polls are prohibited until half an hour after the last phase of voting is completed. Police and enforcement agencies will continue stringent checks to prevent illegal activities. Actions like the illegal transfer of money, offering freebies and gifts, and distribution of alcohol, if found, will lead to severe legal action. A dry day has been declared for the 48 hours until the completion of voting, banning the distribution and sale of alcohol. Travel into and out of the constituency is under strict surveillance, and all types of vehicles will be inspected. Party workers from outside the constituency are not allowed to stay. There is also a prohibition on displaying and carrying licensed weapons until the election results are declared. The elections for 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state will take place from 7 AM to 6 PM on April 26, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4. The Chief Electoral Officer has called for cooperation from everyone to ensure a free, fair, and just election, and urges all voters to exercise their right to vote responsibly. (ANI)
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