As per the guidelines of Election Commission of India (ECI), the political parties in Punjab today allotted time slots on Doordarshan Kendra , Jalandhar and All India Radio, Jalandhar for Lok Sabha election -2014 being conducted on April 30. Presiding over a meeting of representatives of political parties, Mr. V.K.Singh, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab conducted the lot of draws. He informed that the ECI has allotted a total 85 minutes time for political parties on AIR, Jalandhar between April 21 to 26. He said that six political parties namely Shiromani Akali Dal (45 minutes), Indian National Congress (20 minutes ), BJP ( 5 minutes ), BSP ( 5 minutes ), CPI ( 5 minutes ) and CPI/M( 5 minutes)has been awarded 5-5 minutes slots between 8.00 pm to 8.15pm. On Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar, Shiromani Akali Dal has been given time slots of 45 minutes, Indian National Congress (20 minutes), and 5 minutes each to BJP, BSP, CPI/M, he added. These time slots would be given between April 15 to 26.
The CEO said that the day of Lok Sabha election, polling in Punjab was April 30 and it was not a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and Punjab Shops and Commercial establishments Act, 1958. He said that Principal Secretary/Labour & Employment, Punjab has been asked to direct Banks and Commercial/Industrial Establishments including shops falling within the jurisdiction of the state of Punjab to observe holiday on 30th April, 2014. He said that the daily wage/casual workers were also entitled for a holiday and wages on poll day.The CEO has also informed that the ECI has directed to provide a CD to all contesting candidates of all recognized political parties containing the part-wise alphabetical electoral roll free of cost. In addition , a hard copy of the electoral roll with mother roll and all supplements to be given before the poll with a covering letter stating that as per the alphabetical electoral roll has no statutory value therefore it should not be used in polling stations. He clarified that it should be given only for the purpose of facilitating the search of the name of electoral in the roll. Earlier, the CEO held a video-conferencing with Deputy Commissioners to review the arrangements and directed them to ensure the compliance of model code of conduct in true spirit and manner.