GOVERNMENT OF GOA

Department of Home

Home—General Division

Office of the District Magistrate, North Goa

Magisterial Branch

–––

Order

No. 40/16/2022-MAG-ELN/L&O/Rally/319

Under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal

Procedure, 1973

Whereas the Election Commission of India has

announced the General Election to the Goa State

Legislative Assembly 2022 in North Goa District

scheduled to be held on 14-02-2022 and the Election

Model Code of Conduct has already come into force

with effect from 08-01-2022.

And whereas, the number of COVID-19 cases

being reported in Goa are increasing and the

situation might further aggravate if public

gatherings and active interactions is permitted

unrestricted;

And whereas, in order to contain the spread of

the pandemic, certain measures were undertaken

and restrictions have been imposed under the

Disaster Management Act, 2005 vide order No.

1/5/29/2020-RD/22 dated 23-01-2022, issued by the

Under Secretary (Revenue)/Member Secretary

(SDMA), considering the prevailing situation, the

said restrictions and measures are required to be

continued, while additional restrictions needs to be

imposed to prevent the further spread of the disease;

Panaji, 9th February, 2022 (Magha 20, 1943)

SERIES III No. 45

RNI No. GOAENG/2002/6410

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

Reg. No. RNP/GOA/32/2021-2023

EXTRAORDINARY

No. 2

1139

Suggestions are welcomed on e-mail: [email protected]

And whereas, the Election Commission of India

vide Press Note No. ECI/PN/17/2022 dated

06-02-2022 has taken review of COVID situation

and have issued certain revised guidelines and

restrictions;

And whereas, in my considered opinion, there

is sufficient ground for proceeding under sub-

section (1) of Section 144 of Code of Criminal

Procedure, 1973 imposing certain additional

restriction on public gatherings, physical rallies,

road shows etc. to prevent further spread of

disease;

And whereas I am satisfied that the

circumstances do not permit the serving in due

time, of the notices individually upon the persons

against whom this order is directed and therefore,

under the powers vested in me under sub-section

(2) of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal

Procedure, 1973, I hereby pass the order ex-parte.

Now therefore, I, Ajit Roy, IAS District

Magistrate North Goa District in exercise of the

powers vested in me under Section 144 of Code of

Criminal Procedure, 1973, do hereby direct that

the following activities/events shall be restricted

till further orders as below:

No roadshow, Pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle

rallies and procession shall be allowed until

further orders.

Outdoor meetings/indoor meetings/rallies

will be allowed subject to condition that the

number of persons attending the indoor/

/outdoor meetings/rallies will be limited to

maximum of 50 percent of the capacity of

indoor halls and 30 percent of the open

OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA

SERIES III No. 45

(EXTRAORDINARY No. 2)

9TH FEBRUARY, 2022

1140

ground capacity as per requirement of the

social distancing norms and whichever is less.

Door-to-door campaigning shall be allowed for

a maximum of 20 (twenty) including

candidates (excluding security personnel).

Between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., no rallies and public

meetings shall be allowed on any campaign

day.

Open ground rallies can be held only in the

grounds specifically designated by this office

through e-Suvidha portal subject to

compliance of all the conditions of SDMA.

Political parties and contesting candidates

shall ensure the compliance of COVID

appropriate behaviour and guidelines and

Model Code of Conduct at all occasions during

the activities connected with the election.

The organizers shall ensure that:-

•

There should be multiple entry and exit points

so that there is no crowding as people are

coming and leaving the venue. All entrances

must have adequate and hygiene and thermal

screening provisions. Adequate number of

hand sanitizers should be kept at entrance as

well as within the rally area. Sitting

arrangements must ensure adequate physical

distancing and use of mask at all times is

mandatory.

•

Adequate man power should be deployed/

/arranged by the organizers to ensure

observance to physical distancing norms,

mask wearing and other preventive measures

at all times.

•

In designated open ground meetings, people

should be accommodated in adequate clusters

and such clusters should be separated by

separation arrangements. The organizers will

ensure this arrangements and Nodal Officers

will ensure compliance.

• The organizers and concerned political

parties shall abide by all the above instructions

and SDMA related guidelines and ensure COVID

appropriate behaviour by persons participating in

meetings- rallies. Organizers will be responsible for

any breach of the COVID related protocols and

guidelines.

While granting the permission the concerned

SDM/RO shall appoint a Nodal Officer to oversee

the arrangements done by organizers and the Sub-

Divisional Police Officer concerned North Goa shall

ensure the compliance of instructions and COVID

appropriate behaviour guidelines.

All remaining restrictions as contained in the

Revised Broad Guidelines for Conduct of Election

2022, issued on 8th January shall continue. If the

candidate or political party violates any of the

above guidelines, no further permission shall be

given to the concerned candidate/party for rallies,

meetings, etc.

The Returning Officers/Assistant Returning

Officers, Flying Squads, Sector Magistrates/Officer,

Police or any other authorized Officers/Officials

shall act immediately in case any violation comes

to their notice or reported to them and initiate

necessary action against the violator by filing FIR

under appropriate section before the respective

police station.

This order shall come into force with immediate

effect, failure to comply with this order shall be

liable for penal action under Section 188 of Indian

Penal and other provisions of laws in force.

This shall supersede the earlier order issued by

this office vide No. 40/16/2022-MAG-ELN/L & O/

Rally/270 dated 31-01-2022.

Given under my hand and seal of this office on

this 6th day of February, 2022.

Panaji.—The District Magistrate & DEO (North),

Ajit Roy, IAS.

______________________________

Published and Printed by the Director, Printing & Stationery,

Government Printing Press,

Mahatma Gandhi Road, Panaji-Goa 403 001.

Price–Rs. 2.00

PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT PRINTING PRESS, PANAJI-GOA—367/220—02/2022.