Hyderabad City Police Commissioner Sandeep Shandilya on Tuesday issued orders invoking Section 144 (prohibiting assembly of five or more persons) in a radius of 200 metres from the polling station on Thursday (November 30), the polling day.
The order will remain in force starting 6 a.m. till 8 p.m. The objective is to maintain public order and peace in the limits of Hyderabad city and ensure a free and fair polling experience, Mr. Shandilya said. In addition to Section 144, he also invoked provisions of the Hyderabad City Police Act for the 48 hours before the closure of polling on Thursday.
As per the provisions, on Thursday, people are prohibited from carrying sticks either with or without flags, lathis, firearms, or any weapon in the 1-km radius of the polling station. Prohibition will also be on erection of pandals, using microphones and public address systems, singing or making speeches, and making gestures, exhibiting or disseminating pictures, symbols, placards or any items likely to create religious animosity.
