Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Engages with Political Parties Ahead of Elections

Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal recently convened a crucial meeting with representatives of political parties in Chandigarh, underscoring the significance of voter turnout and compliance with the model code of conduct in the upcoming elections.

During the meeting, Agarwal urged all 1,98,29,675 voters in the state to exercise their democratic right on May 25, emphasising the slogan "Chunav Ka Parv, Desh Ka Garv" (Festival of Elections, Pride of the Nation). He stressed that voter participation is essential for the health of democracy.

Emphasising the importance of adherence to the model code of conduct, Agarwal reminded candidates and political parties of their obligation to comply with electoral guidelines. He informed that upon submission of nomination papers, the process of calculating election expenses will commence, and candidates must maintain separate account statements. The security deposit for general category candidates is set at Rs 25,000, while for Scheduled Caste candidates, it is Rs 12,500.

Agarwal outlined the nomination process, stating that candidates must fill Form 26 as an affidavit, which must be duly verified by a notary or a Class I Magistrate. He also clarified regulations regarding vehicle usage on election day, permitting a maximum of five persons, including the driver, in each vehicle. Additionally, he mentioned that Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Electoral Officers will designate rally locations for election campaigns.

Highlighting the Election Commission's initiatives, Agarwal mentioned various mobile applications such as Voter Helpline, cVigil, Voter Turnout, and Know Your Candidate, aimed at facilitating voter engagement and ensuring transparency in the electoral process. Furthermore, he announced the establishment of 19,812 polling stations across the state, equipped with essential facilities.

Representatives from several political parties, including Varinder Garg (BJP), Talwinder Singh and RD Saini (Congress), Veenus Malik (AAP), Ram Narayan Yadav (JJP), and Satyavrat (INLD), participated in the meeting, demonstrating a collective commitment to uphold democratic principles.

The meeting served as a platform for constructive dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, reaffirming the democratic ethos of Haryana's electoral process.