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Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 25: The model code of conduct will come into force from January 27, for the conduct of free and fair elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) on February 21.

The model code of conduct for the guidance of political parties and candidates during the upcoming ADC elections was prepared by the district council affairs (DCA) department of the state government and was handed over to the different political parties. As per the guidelines of MCC, the party in power whether at the centre or in the state, shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that it has used its official position for the purposes of its election campaign and in particular –

The cabinet ministers and political appointees of the state government, chief executive members, chairman, vice chairman and executive members of the autonomous district councils (ADCs) shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work and shall not also make use of official machinery or personnel during the electioneering work.

Government and ADC’s transport including official vehicles, machinery and personnel shall not be used for furtherance of the interest of the party in power. Public places such as playgrounds etc, for holding election meetings in connection with elections shall not be monopolized by itself. Other parties and candidates shall be allowed the use of such places and facilities on the same terms and conditions on which they are used by the party in power.

No work under the fund placed with the concerned district council(s) from central/state government for which the work order had been issued but the work has actually not started in the field before the date of issue of the notification for calling the constituency (ies) to elect their representative(s) under Rule 124 (2) or Rule 126 (1) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951, should be started.

Such work(s) can be started after the completion of the election process. However, if the work has actually started, this can continue. Ceremonies for laying of foundation stones or inauguration or announcement of any new schemes by the ADCs should be kept on hold till the election process is over.

Announcement of any new schemes to be implemented by the concerned ADCs or award of any contract, settlement of any agreement with any party (ies) etc. shall be kept on hold till the completion of the election process.

Issue of tender works and construction of ongoing projects from central/state sponsored schemes/programmes by the state government are exempted under the purview of this model code of conduct, except issue of fresh release of funds under the MLAs local area development fund and MPs local area development fund.

Use of state government vehicles and ADC’s official vehicles by contesting candidates is strictly prohibited from the date of issue of the notification for calling the constituency (ies) to elect their representatives under Rule 124 (2) or Rule 126 (1) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951, till the election process is over. Carrying of cash money in excess of Rs 50,000 by contesting candidates or their supporters is prohibited and shall be confiscated.

Cabinet ministers, and other authorities of the state government, MLAs and chief executive members/executive members and other authorities of the concerned ADCs shall not sanction grants/payments out of discretionary funds from the date of issue of the notification for calling the constituency(ies) to elect their representatives under Rule 124 (2) or Rule 126 (1) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951.

From the date of issue of the notification for calling the constituency (ies) to elect their representatives under Rule 124 (2) or Rule 126 (1) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 Ministers, MLAs, CEMs, EMs, MDCs and other authorities shall not –

Announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof or (except civil servants) lay foundation stones etc of projects or schemes of any kind or make any promise of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities etc which may have the effect influencing the voters in favor of the party in power.

In regards to the general conduct, the MCC said no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.

Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programmes, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.

There shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as a forum for election propaganda.

All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meeting during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling station.

Political parties and candidates shall ensure that their supporters do not create obstructions in or break up meetings and processions organized by other parties. Workers or sympathizers of one political party shall not create disturbance at public meetings organized by another political party by putting questions orally or in writing or by distributing leaflets of their own party. Procession shall not be taken out by one party along places at which meetings are held by another party. Posters issued by one party shall not be removed by workers of another party.

Any violation of the MCC shall be addressed to the deputy commissioner/returning officer concerned.

Meghalaya Times

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