Thiruvananthapuram, April 7: As the election day approaches, Kerala will enter a 48-hour “silent period” starting this evening, aimed at ensuring a free and fair electoral process. The state will hold elections for 140 new legislators on Thursday, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.
Chief Electoral Officer Dr. Ratan U. Kelkar announced on Monday that, according to election laws, all public campaigning activities must cease by 6 PM on April 7.
These restrictions, enforced under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prevent candidates, political parties, and their supporters from organizing or participating in public gatherings, rallies, or processions during the last 48 hours before voting.
During this period, strict bans will also apply to cultural events such as music shows and theatrical performances aimed at influencing voters.
Authorities have prohibited the display of election-related content through television, cinema, or other electronic media. This ban extends to radio broadcasts to ensure voters are not exposed to last-minute political messages that could sway their decisions.
Moreover, political advertisements in newspapers will require prior approval from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) on the day before and the day of voting.
To prevent undue influence, political workers, party officials, and campaigners who are not registered voters in a constituency must leave the area immediately after the campaigning period ends.
This initiative aims to minimize external interference and ensure equal opportunities for all candidates. Emphasizing the importance of voter confidence, the Chief Electoral Officer urged all political parties, candidates, and the general public to strictly adhere to these guidelines.
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