Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal said that political parties or candidates and party workers should not resort to any sort of campaigning for a period of 48 hours prior to the conclusion of polling on April 30 as campaigning drew to a close on Monday evening.
Addressing a media conference at his chambers here, Mr. Bhanwar Lal said the electronic media should refrain from telecasting any election-related programme, which is not only campaigning, but also opinion polls for the next 48 hours. He also said liquor shops would be closed in Telangana, neighbouring constituencies and districts of Seemandhra as well as districts of neighbouring States for 48 hours.
All arrangements have been made for the conduct of polls on April 30 and holiday has been declared for the day for all government offices, universities, factories, shops and establishments and the Collectors in 10 districts of Telangana would declare holiday in local areas, he said.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made and 1.4 lakh police personnel and 162 companies of Central forces would be deployed in the polling stations. He said polling would be allowed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. only on April 30 at Bhupalapalle, Mulugu and Bhadrachalam. In seven constituencies - Sirpur, Chennur, Asifabad, Khanapur, Manthani, Achampet and Kollapur, it would be held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and in the rest of 109 Assembly constituencies from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
