Bhiwani, October 2 District Magistrate Mahavir Kaushik, exercising the powers conferred under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code 2023, has banned the free movement of all categories of vehicles in the district, including high-speed two-wheelers. The orders issued by the District Magistrate said that conditions have also been set for various categories of vehicles, including high-speed two-wheelers. However, candidates contesting elections can use one vehicle within their respective assembly constituencies. Apart from this, the election agent or worker of the concerned candidate can also use one vehicle in each assembly constituency. As per the conditions laid down in the orders for the use of vehicles, not more than 5 persons including the driver will be allowed in a vehicle. If the candidate is absent from his constituency, then even in this situation, no other person will be able to use the allotted vehicle. No leader will be allowed to use any other vehicle. The required permits for vehicles will be issued by the Returning Officer of the concerned Assembly constituency. The permit will have to be displayed on the windscreen of the concerned vehicle. If any permitted vehicle is used to carry voters, it will be considered corrupt practice under Section 133 and 123(5). In this situation, action will be taken against the concerned person under the Representation of the People Act 1951. Providing free vehicles to voters to and from the polling booth by any candidate or his agent also comes under the category of corrupt practice and doing so is strictly prohibited. The orders state that the above restrictions will be applicable on all vehicles running on mechanical power or any other power. These include taxis, private cars, trucks, tractors with or without trailers, auto rickshaws, e-rickshaws, scooters, motorbikes and mini buses etc. These orders will come into effect 24 hours before the start of voting and will remain in force till the end of voting. The orders issued by the District Magistrate said that along with taking action against the person violating the above instructions under the Motor Vehicles Act, punitive action will be taken under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1951 and the Indian Civil Code 2023. All vehicles violating these instructions will be seized. Exemption has also been given to some vehicles in the orders. According to the orders, vehicles regularly traveling on National Highway, Inter-State Highway and State Highway will be exempted. Exemption has also been given to the vehicles of police and other public servants used for election duty. Similarly, vehicles used for essential services such as hospital vans, ambulances, milk vans, water tankers, electricity department vehicles, emergency duty vans, police on duty and vehicles of officers posted on election duty are also in the category of exemption. Similarly, public transport vehicles such as buses running between certain terminals and on certain routes, taxis, three-wheelers, scooters and rickshaws etc. which go to airport, railway station, bus stand, hospital and for such journeys which cannot be avoided will also be exempted. Vehicles which are carrying sick, elderly, physically handicapped voters, who are unable to reach the polling station to exercise their franchise, have also been exempted. Apart from this, vehicles used by authorized media personnel i.e. such persons who have been recognized by the Government of India, Election Commission of India, Chief Electoral Officer Haryana or Director Public Relations Haryana or Press Information Bureau have also been exempted. In case of emergency, any other vehicle for which a permit has been issued by the Returning Officer of the concerned assembly constituency citing special reasons will also be exempted. Similarly, a vehicle used by the owner himself or by his family members which will go to the polling station will also be exempted. But such vehicles cannot go within 200 meters of the polling station. Apart from this, private vehicles which are being used by the owner but are not related to the election will also be exempted. These orders will come into effect from 6 am on October 4 and will remain in force in the entire Bhiwani district till 7 pm on the day of polling on October 5.