MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies, 1994 _ Conduct of candidates and political parties.

ANNEXURE TO LETTER NO. 437/6/ESO23/94/MCS DATED 04.10.1994

DOS AND DON'TS FOR THE GUIDANCE OF THE CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES TO BE OBSERVED FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN ELECTION AND UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THE PROCESS OF ELECTION

-------------------------------------------------`DOS'

(1) Ongoing programmes may continue.

(2) The clarification/approval of the Election Commission of India/Chief Electoral Officer of your State should be obtained in case of doubt.

(3) Relief and rehabilitation measures to the people in areas affected by floods, drought, pestilence, and other natural calamities, should commence and continue.

(4) Grant of cash or medical facilities to terminally or critically ill persons can continue with appropriate approvals.

(5) Public places like maidens must be available impartially to all parties/contesting candidates for holding election meetings. So also use of helipads must be available impartially to all parties/contesting candidates.

(6) Rest houses, dak bungalows and other Government accommodation should be available to all political parties and contesting candidates on an equitable basis.

(7) Criticism of other political parties and candidates should relate to their policies, programmes, past record and work.

(8) The right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbed home life should be fully safeguarded.

(9) The local police authorities should be fully informed of the venue and time of the proposed meetings well in time and all necessary permissions taken.

(10) If there are any restrictive or prohibitory orders in force in the place of the proposed meeting, they shall be fully respected. Exemption, if necessary, must be applied for and obtained well in time.

(11) Permission must be obtained for the use of loudspeakers or any other such facilities for the proposed meeting.

(12) The assistance of the police should be obtained in dealing with persons disturbing meetings or otherwise creating disorder.

(13) The time and place of the starting of any procession, the route to be followed and the time and place at which the procession will terminate should be settled in advance and advance permissions obtained from the police authorities.

(14) The existence of any restrictive orders in force in the localities through which the procession has to pass should be ascertained and fully complied with. So also all traffic regulations and other restrictions.

(15) The passage of the procession must be without hindrance to traffic.

(16) Cooperation should be extended to all election officials at all times to ensure peaceful and orderly poll.

(17) Badges or identity cards must be displayed by workers.

(18) Identity slips issued to voters shall be on plain (white) paper and not contain any symbol, name of the candidate or name of the party.

(19) Restrictions on plying of vehicles on poll day shall be fully obeyed.

(20) Only persons with a specific valid authority letter from the Election Commission can enter any polling booth at any time. No functionary however highly placed (e.g. Chief Minister, Minister, MP or MLA etc) is exempt from this.

(21) Complaint or problem regarding the conduct of elections shall be brought to the notice of the observer appointed by the Commission/Returning Officer/Zonal/Sector Magistrate/Election Commission of India.

(22) Directions/orders/instructions of the Election Commission, the Returning Officer, the District Election Officer shall be obeyed in all matters related to various aspects of election.



BACK TO INDEX I PREVIOUS PAGE I NEXT PAGE I NEXT DOCUMENT I BACK TO SEARCH I