Baroda by-election: EC issues revised guidelines for inviting star campaigners

In view of the Baroda byelection, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Anurag Agarwal has directed the officers of District Administration of Sonipat to closely monitor the movement of cash, liquor and drugs in the district and take prompt action if any such matter is reported.

 He also informed the officials about the revised guidelines related to ‘Star Campaigners’ by the Commission. He said that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the maximum limit of the number of star campaigners for recognised national and state political parties shall be 30 in place of 40 and for unrecognised registered political parties shall be 15 in place of 20.

 He said that the period of submission of a list of star campaigners is extended from 7 days to 10 days from the date of notification.

 Anurag Agarwal gave these directions while presiding over a meeting with the officers of Sonipat District Administration through video conferencing on Thursday to ensure that Baroda by-elections are conducted in a peaceful, transparent and safe manner.

 Agarwal said that because of the on-going Covid-19 Pandemic, the Election Commission of India has decided to issue Postal Ballot papers for Persons with Disability voters and voters above 80 years of age so that they can exercise their franchise in a hassle-free manner. 

For this, the Returning Officer should identify such voters. Also, for those who want to use postal ballot paper or come to the polling station to vote, all necessary arrangements should be made in both the cases. 

He directed that all polling stations should be verified well in advance in the presence of a Supervisory Officer and also to ensure that all polling stations have basic facilities like internet, electricity, water and toilets.