Unlike the last elections, there has been a marked difference in the campaigning style during the ensuing assembly elections in Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts, one of the richest areas, in this desert state.

The election campaign has picked-up with just eight days left for the polling but there is hardly any sign of money power being used to influence the electorate, thanks to the strict vigil maintained by the Election Commission (EC).

Even the glossy posters and party banners are seen at only selective places in the district headquarters and other townships.

The candidates are mostly refraining from mud slinging against each other despite great influence of politicians and other high-ranking people of Punjab and Haryana.

The only thing that has been noticed is that some candidates are purchasing
space in the local newspapers for ‘impact features’ a concept that was extensively
used in the assembly elections in Haryana and Punjab by the political parties and
individual candidates.

The candidates fear that they will not be able to visit all villages and town areas in the short campaign period.

The strict vigil maintained by the EC has forced them to reduce the publicity material and resort to door-to-door campaigning.

Instead of giving more advertisements in the regional newspapers they are purchasing the editorial space comparatively at lesser rates than the advertisements to publish ‘impact features’ in the form of news items to woo the voters.

A conversation with many politicians revealed that most of the candidates are using less printed publicity material because of two reasons.

First, the poll observers are keeping a strict vigil on the expenditure being incurred by the candidates during campaigning.

Secondly, the respective district administrations are insisting on the implementation of the Property Defacement Act.

In Ganganagar, the local administration has removed more than 25 hoardings, 500 flags and rubbed-off more than 100 wall paintings during the past couple of days.

In Karanpur, more than 50 hoardings, 1,500 flags have been removed, besides, rubbing-off 22 wall paintings.

In the whole district, thousands of flags and hundreds of hoardings have been removed from public places.

At least, 25 FIRs have also been registered against the candidates and their supporters for violation of the guidelines of the EC.

Similarly, in the adjoining Hanumangarh district also, the district administration has issued more than 40 notices, got registered many FIRs.

Many officials/employees of government departments have also been suspended for not responding to the EC guidelines and doing their duty with efficiency.