By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, March 15: Marking the end of the campaigning season of the 2016 Prime Ministerial (Sikyong) and Parliamentary (Chitue) elections, the Election Commission on Monday announced that all campaign related activities must end by March 18, two days before the final election on March 20.
The announcement came with an instruction to all the local election commissioners (LEC) saying, ‘reminder to all the local election commissioners to ensure strict adherence to Tibetan electoral rules and regulation ahead of the final election on 20 March.’
“All the posters related to the elections will be removed by March 18 and from then on no one is allowed to engage in any form of campaigning,” said Tenzin Choephel, Additional Election Commissioner.
It has three specific guidelines mentioned in order to comply with the electoral rules and regulations. Firstly, ‘all campaign related activities (including speeches, debates and posters) from both the candidates and supporters should cease by 18 March. All existing posters and banners must also be removed by the said date.’
The EC has also mentioned that on the Election Day, all LECs must remain alert and contact the local police in advance to prevent malpractices and untoward incidents during the voting day.
It has also instructed the LECs that the ballot boxes must be secured and kept under constant vigilance of the authorities.
He, however, said that campaign related videos of speeches, debates and posters circulating on social media might continue to remain despite the announcement since it would be hard to track everything on social media.
