Final campaigning in both the Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly constituencies ended today (Oct. 4) at 6 p.m.
By-elections were announced in these two assembly constituencies after the MLAs resigned from Madurantakam and Dharapuram.
With a five-cornered contest involving TVK, DMK, AIADMK, the Left parties and NTK in both constituencies, the five parties and their alliance partners campaigned vigorously in an effort to win.
In this situation, election campaigning in both constituencies ended at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Following this, outsiders have been ordered to leave both constituencies.
Accordingly, from 6 p.m. on Sunday until the end of polling day (Oct. 6), the following rules will be in force under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
No one may organize, conduct, or participate in any election-related public meeting or procession. No election matter may be brought to the public’s attention through media such as films, television, FM radio, WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and similar platforms. This includes all forms of electronic communication, including text messages and the internet.
No election campaign shall be conducted among the public present there by organizing or arranging any music performance, theatrical performance, or any entertainment or recreational event in a manner that attracts any person from the general public.
If these rules are violated in any way, under Section 126(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a punishment of 2 years’ imprisonment or a fine or both shall be imposed.
All political party officials, party workers, and anyone who is not a voter of that constituency and has been brought in from outside the constituency must leave the constituency after 6 p.m. on Sunday. It will be determined whether any outsiders are staying in marriage halls, community halls, lodges, or guest houses.
The vehicle permits granted to candidates, including star campaigners, will become invalid from 6 p.m. on Sunday. On polling day, the returning officer will permit only one vehicle for each candidate for personal use, one vehicle per constituency for the use of the election agent, and one vehicle for the use of the election agent or his staff.
No candidate should be allowed to use a vehicle to bring voters to the polling station or to take them away from the polling station. This is an illegal act punishable under Section 133 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.