Campaigning for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election will end at 6 pm on April 21, ahead of polling scheduled for April 23 from 7 am to 6 pm. The Election Commission has directed that no public meetings or processions be held or attended after the deadline.
In a statement, Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik said election-related content must not be displayed to the public through any medium, including cinema, television, FM radio and social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. The restriction also covers SMS and other electronic communication formats.
The Commission has also barred entertainment events—such as music programmes and theatre-related activities—if they are used to attract the public and promote election-related messages. Violations may invite punishment of up to two years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both.
All political party office-bearers and workers brought in from outside, as well as persons who are not voters of the constituency, must leave the constituency after 6 pm. Authorities will check marriage halls, community halls, lodges and guest houses to identify outsiders staying there.
Vehicle permissions issued to candidates, including for star campaigners, will become invalid from 6 pm. Candidates or their agents are not permitted to hire, buy or use vehicles to transport voters to and from polling stations. Election offices may be set up beyond 100 metres from polling stations with only two persons, and unnecessary gatherings are not allowed.
