Star campaigners to follow the election code of conduct
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, May 3 -
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal said that political parties and candidates contesting elections will not be given permission from the Election Commission to use playgrounds of schools and colleges for election rallies.
He has clarified that except Haryana and Punjab, in other states and union territories, playgrounds can be used with the permission of the school management. Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed an express prohibition on this issue.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that the sentiments of voters will not be influenced on the basis of caste, religion, community during the election campaign and high standards will have to be maintained during the election campaign. He said that the citizens of India have the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution, but the objective of the Model Code of Conduct is contained under its various provisions.
Sh. Agarwal said that during the election campaign, no temple, mosque, church, gurudwara or other religious place can be used for election campaign, nor can speeches, posters, music, election related material be used during the campaign.
He said that photographs of defence personnel or programs of defence personnel will not be used in advertisements during the election campaign. The Chief Electoral Officer said that in the case of violation of election code of conduct by star campaigners, the Election Commission has made it clear that instructions have been given to the Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officers, Returning Officers and Observers to take appropriate action in this regards.
The Election Commission has made it mandatory for the Chief Election Officer and District Election Officers to maintain a register according to the parties for monitoring violations of the Election Code of Conduct. The register must include the names of candidates, campaigners, and political parties, along with a brief note on the date of violation, action taken, and brief comments on orders passed by the Election Office or Election Commission. Cases of violation must be addressed impartially. Interested parties, including the media, can provide input on these.