Una, May 14: With the objective of conducting the urban local body elections in a peaceful, fair, and orderly manner, necessary restrictive orders have been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, across the six urban local body areas of the district. These orders will remain effective from 3:00 PM on May 15 until the completion of the voting process on May 17. Una District Magistrate Jatin Lal has issued the orders in this regard.
These orders have been issued to maintain law and order and to ensure free and fair elections in the areas falling under the Municipal Councils of Mehatpur-Basdehra and Santoshgarh, as well as the Nagar Panchayats of Amb, Daulatpur Chowk, Gagret, and Tahliwal.
According to the orders, during the specified period, activities such as the assembly of more than five persons, the organization of public gatherings and political meetings, the use of loudspeakers, carrying weapons, sticks, banners, or placards, and raising slogans will be prohibited within the urban local bodies undergoing the electoral process. Furthermore, political workers from outside the district will not be permitted to stay in the respective areas once the election campaigning period concludes. Additionally, obtaining prior permission from the local administration will be mandatory for organizing any election processions.
There will also be a complete ban on the assembly of crowds of unauthorized persons in the vicinity of vote counting centers.
In his orders, the District Magistrate also clarified that no restrictions of any kind will be imposed on the daily activities of ordinary citizens, marriage ceremonies, funeral rites, or the movement of voters proceeding to polling booths to cast their votes.
Concurrently, all liquor vends, shops, and establishments serving liquor within the six concerned urban local body areas will remain closed from 3:00 PM on May 15 until the completion of the electoral process on May 17. Strict action, in accordance with the law, will be initiated against anyone found violating these orders.
The District Administration has appealed to all citizens, political parties, and concerned stakeholders to extend their cooperation in ensuring that the election process is conducted in a peaceful and democratic atmosphere.