Team Herald
PANJIM: The North Goa District Magistrate has ordered closure of all eating joints and liquor shops within 200 metres of polling booths on February 4 and has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC from February 2 evening to February 4 midnight.
“All hotels, restaurants, bars, tea shops, pan shops, eateries and other food shops/joints (dhabas, gaddas) etc, within the vicinity of 200 meters of any polling station in all assembly constituencies within North Goa District shall remain closed on the day of the poll – 6 am to February 4 midnight to avoid their misuse for campaigning or intimidation of voters or influencing voters,” states the order issued by District Magistrate Nila Mohanan on Friday.
In another order, a ban has been imposed on the gathering of more than five persons within 200 meters of any polling stations to ensure law and order. “From 5:01pm of February 2 to February 4 midnight all Assembly constituencies under the jurisdiction of North Goa District Election office, shall be banned for assembly of five or more persons at a place. If found, it will be deemed as unlawful assembly under Section 144 CrPC. There is also a ban to hold any procession or rally under the garb of house to house visits or corner meetings and to prevent creation of any nuisance and law and order problem.
The District Magistrate’s order further states that certain vehicles, currently used by contesting candidates for campaigning, shall not ply during this period.
to avoid any possibility of distribution of money or gifts or liquor while also to prevent any nuisance and law and order problem. The order, however, does not apply to vehicles authorized by the Returning Officer, DEO and CEO on the day of poll.
“All private vehicles shall be checked in a dignified manner to avoid their misuse for distribution of money or gifts or liquor and for causing any nuisance also to avoid any harassment to private persons,” the order adds. “However, the order does not apply to authorized officers on election duty by the Election Commission or the State government, including the polling officials, magistrates, police officials and government staff.
