Northeast Desk, 31st May: The District Magistrate of West Jaintia Hills District has mandated the immediate enforcement of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) around the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Jowai. This directive aims to bolster security for the Election Strong Room and Counting Centre, where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) from the recent elections are housed.
The order prohibits gatherings of more than five individuals within a 100-meter radius of the DC Office in Jowai. Specific exemptions include the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), state and district police, election candidates, their agents, counting agents, DC Office staff, officers on election duty, and authorised media personnel.
Violations of these restrictions will incur penalties under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This measure underscores the district administration’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of the electoral process.