Political parties and candidates urged to comply with model code

Bhopal: Election Commission has urged political parties and candidates to comply with model code of conduct for Vidhan Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Electoral Officer Shri Jaideep Govind has has issued necessary directives to this effect to district election officers. Polling will be held in Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the state from 8 am to pm and from 7 am to 3 pm in Balaghat district’s 3 districts including constituency number 108-Baihar, 109-Lanji and 110-Paraswara.

It has been expected from political parties to provide advance information regarding place and time of proposed public meeting to local police officers so that district administration can ensure traffic control and peace during the meeting. It has also been expected from political parties that it should be ensured in advance whether prohibitory orders are not in force at the place where meeting is to be held. If so, the order should be enforced strictly there. Political parties have been expected to help police deployed at the public meeting to act against people disrupting peace. It is expected from organisers not to take strict action against such people themselves. Political parties have been informed that loudspeakers can be used for electioneering from 6 am to 11 pm in rural areas and 6 am to 10 pm in rural areas (within limits of municipal corporations and municipal councils).
Directives regarding caution in holding rallies: Election Commission of India has also asked the political parties and candidates to cooperate with district administration to maintain peace and law & order. The commission has said that political parties and candidates should decide about place and time of election meetings and route of rally from originating and culminating points in advance. After taking permission, this programme and route cannot be changed. Political parties and candidates have been expected to provide this information in advance necessarily to local police officers. Rallies should be organised so that traffic movement is not disrupted. Political parties have also been expected to ensure before selection of venue whether such permission has been given to any other party for that venue or not.
Political parties and candidates have also been urged to use civilized language at rallies and election meetings.