The Election Commission (EC) has announced a nationwide ban on motorcycles movement for three days surrounding the upcoming national election.
The precaution has been taken as part of a broader set of measures aimed at maintaining order and ensuring a fair voting environment.
According to directives issued by EC on Tuesday, the movement of four categories of vehicles trucks, microbuses, taxi cabs and motorcycles will be suspended for 24 hours on election day across the country.
The commission has formally requested the Road Transport and Highways Division to ensure strict enforcement of the restrictions.
In addition, the EC said all types of vessels will also be barred from operating on polling day.
The commission has further tightened election day regulations by prohibiting candidates and their supporters from setting up election camps or conducting any campaign activities within 400 yards of polling centres.
All posters, leaflets and other campaign materials must be removed before voting begins.
The EC also made it clear that candidates or anyone acting on their behalf will not be allowed to use vehicles to transport voters to polling stations on election day.
To protect voter secrecy, the commission directed that a designated secret booth or marking space must be installed in each polling station. Polling rooms must be arranged in a way that ensures complete confidentiality of voters’ choices. Any windows or open spaces that could compromise privacy must be closed.
As the national election and the referendum will be held on the same day, voters will cast ballots separately for each.
The EC instructed that, where possible, two secret booths should be set up in each polling room. If that is not feasible, additional polling rooms must be arranged.
Only transparent ballot boxes will be used at polling centres. Each polling room must have one ballot box along with an additional reserve box.
If a ballot box becomes full during voting, it must be sealed, locked and stored securely in accordance with EC guidelines.
PT/ra
