HT Digital,
Jowai, May 31: In a bid to enhance security for the Election Strong Room and Counting Centre, the District Magistrate of West Jaintia Hills District has invoked Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). This order mandates immediate restrictions around the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office in Jowai, where the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) from the recent elections are stored.
The order prohibits gatherings of more than five individuals within a 100-meter radius of the DC Office in Jowai. However, certain groups are exempted, including the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), state and district forces stationed at the DC’s Office, candidates, election agents, counting agents, DC’s Office staff, officers and staff on election duty, and authorised media personnel.
Violations of these restrictions will incur penalties under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), underscoring the strict measures in place to ensure the security and integrity of the election materials and processes.
