Ahead of the Panchayat elections scheduled for May 7, the Kamrup district administration has imposed a series of strict restrictions across the district to maintain peace and ensure a smooth electoral process. The prohibitory measures, enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), came into effect from 4:30 PM on May 5. District Commissioner Dev Kumar Mishra issued the directive on May 3, invoking his powers to clamp down on any activity that could disrupt the polling process. The restrictions will remain in place through the sensitive 48-hour period following the close of voting. Under the new rules, gatherings of five or more people in public places are strictly banned. Public meetings are also prohibited during the restricted period. Political party functionaries and campaigners from outside a constituency—who are not registered voters there—are not allowed to remain within the constituency limits during this time.
In an effort to prevent voter intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric, the administration has also prohibited any form of provocative, communal, or caste-based messaging. This includes speeches, slogans, posters, wall writings, pamphlets, and banners meant to sway public opinion or instill fear among voters. Strict measures have been announced for polling day. Soliciting votes inside polling stations is banned. Voters and party workers are not permitted to wear clothing or accessories—such as caps, scarves, or t-shirts—bearing political party symbols, slogans, or names within the polling station premises. The movement of personal vehicles within a 200-meter radius of polling stations has also been restricted. Exceptions will only be made for vehicles used to drop off family members for voting. Furthermore, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations is prohibited, including displaying campaign materials and loudspeaker announcements.
Voters are urged to remain alert to these regulations. The use of sound amplification devices or loudspeakers near polling stations is banned throughout election day, and will remain off-limits during the 48 hours after polling concludes. Disorderly behavior such as shouting or creating disturbances in or around polling stations will be dealt with strictly. Violation of any of these directives will attract legal consequences under Section 223 of the BNSS, which outlines penalties for disrupting public peace during elections.
