New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Sunday enforced the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) following the announcement of Assembly elections in five states and one Union Territory, directing curbs on the release of funds under MLA and MP local area development schemes and ordering the removal of ministers’ photographs from official government websites.
The poll-bound states — Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry — are set to hold elections between April 9 and April 23. Additionally, the ECI issued MCC directives to six states conducting by-elections for eight Assembly seats during the same period. Results are scheduled to be announced on May 4.
In identical letters to the Union Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Secretaries of the poll-bound states, the ECI directed immediate implementation of MCC provisions covering the prevention of defacement of public and private property, misuse of public spaces and official vehicles, advertisements at public expense, and removal of photographs of political functionaries from official websites.
The Commission instructed that expenditure monitoring and enforcement measures — including flying squads, Field Surveillance Teams (FSTs), and video surveillance — must be activated immediately, alongside intensive checking for liquor, cash, and contraband drugs.
A 24x7 control room at the district level is to be operational immediately, with adequate manpower and logistical support ensured by the District Election Officer (DEO) and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
Following MCC enforcement, ministers are barred from combining official visits with electioneering and must not use government machinery or personnel for election-related activities. Government transport, including official aircraft, vehicles, machinery, and personnel, must not be employed to advance the interests of the ruling party.
Regarding development projects, the ECI specified that no fresh release of funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (including Rajya Sabha members) or MLAs’ or MLCs’ local area development schemes will be permitted in any election-bound region until the conclusion of the electoral process.
The Commission also ordered the formation of a screening committee under each state’s Chief Secretary to review proposals related to MCC received from the CEO or various departments before forwarding them to the ECI.
With IANS inputs