Haryana CEO: Political campaigns not permitted in school playgrounds and colleges

Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal said that political parties and candidates contesting elections will not be permitted by the Election Commission to use playgrounds of schools and colleges for election rallies.

He has clarified that except for Haryana and Punjab, in other states and union territories, playgrounds can be used with the permission of the school management. Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed an express prohibition on this issue.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that the sentiments of voters will not be influenced on the basis of caste, religion, or community during the election campaign and high standards will have to be maintained during the election campaign.

He said that the citizens of India have the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution, but the objective of the Model Code of Conduct is contained under its various provisions.

Agarwal said that during the election campaign, no temple, mosque, church, gurudwara or other religious place can be used for election campaign, nor can speeches, posters, music, election related material be used during the campaign.He said that photographs of defence personnel or programs of defence personnel will not be used in advertisements during the election campaign.