The Maharashtra Election Commission has issued an order prohibiting the broadcast of election-related matter by the local All India Radio (AIR) centre and other radio channels in the district during 48 hours before polling for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, as reported by the news agency PTI. The order, issued by Collector Abhijit Raut, the returning officer for the Latur Lok Sabha constituency, cites a provision in a handbook published by the Election Commission of India that “prohibits display of election matter through TV or similar apparatus.” The order clarifies that radio will be treated as “other similar apparatus” for this purpose and hence broadcasting/propagating any election matter through radio would not be permissible during the period of 48 hours mentioned in the said section. Legal action would be initiated if the order is not followed during the 48-hour period.
Poll authorities in Maharashtra have also urged candidates in the Latur Lok Sabha constituency to refrain from making inflammatory speeches and personal criticism against opponents during their campaign, as reported by PTI. Latur’s general election observer, Niranjan Kumar, held a meeting with the candidates on Tuesday to discuss the matter. Kumar appealed to the candidates to follow the model code of conduct and cooperate with the authorities for the conduct of elections in a transparent and peaceful manner. Twenty-eight candidates are in the fray for the Latur Lok Sabha seat election, which is scheduled to be held on May 7. Among the major political parties, the BJP has fielded sitting MP Sudhakar Shrangare, the Congress has given a ticket to Shivaji Kalge, and the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) has fielded Narsingrao Nivritti Udgirkar.
During the meeting, Kumar emphasized that candidates should not make inflammatory or provocative speeches during the campaign and refrain from personal criticism. He also reminded the candidates of their obligation to mention the expenditure of every campaign in their election expenses register. Kumar further stated that the Lok Sabha elections 2024 campaign should be carried out within the prescribed period only after obtaining prior permission from authorities. Latur collector and returning officer Varsha Thakur-Ghuge was also present at the meeting.
