Model Code of Conduct Comes into Force in Five States Ahead of Assembly Elections; ECI Appoints Special Observer for Assam
The election commission of India (ECI) has directed authorities to ensure strict enforcement of the model code of conduct (MCC) following the announcement of assembly election schedules for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Commission deploys monitoring teams and activates complaint systems to ensure strict compliance during poll process
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed authorities to ensure strict enforcement of the model code of conduct (MCC) following the announcement of assembly election schedules for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
The commission had announced the election schedule on March 15. Following the announcement, notifications for the polls in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry were issued on Monday and published in their respective gazettes.
With the notification, the MCC has come into immediate effect in the concerned states and union territory. The code will also apply to the central government in relation to policy decisions and public announcements concerning these states during the election period.
Directions to prevent misuse of government resources
The commission has issued instructions to the chief secretaries and chief electoral officers of the concerned states to ensure strict adherence to MCC provisions.
Authorities have been directed to remove political defacement from government, public and private properties and prevent misuse of official vehicles, government accommodation or other public resources by political parties, candidates or individuals connected with election campaigns.
The commission has also prohibited the release of advertisements at the cost of the public exchequer during the election period.
Citizen complaints monitoring system activated
To monitor violations of the code, the commission has activated a complaint monitoring system that allows citizens and political parties to report violations.
Complaints can be lodged through the ECI call centre number 1950 or through the C-Vigil mobile application available on the ECINET platform.
To ensure quick response to complaints, the commission has deployed more than 5,173 flying squads across the poll-bound states and union territory. These teams are expected to respond to reported violations within 100 minutes.
In addition, more than 5,200 static surveillance teams have been deployed to monitor election-related activities and enforce compliance with MCC guidelines.
Rules for campaign activities and public meetings
The commission has instructed political parties to inform police authorities in advance about public meetings and processions so that appropriate traffic management and security arrangements can be made.
Parties are also required to obtain necessary permissions for loudspeakers and comply with local prohibitory orders where applicable.
The guidelines also emphasise protection of citizens’ privacy, stating that demonstrations or picketing outside private residences will not be permitted. Political parties are prohibited from placing flags, banners or posters on private property without the owner’s consent.
Ministers barred from mixing official work with campaign
Under MCC provisions, ministers are prohibited from combining official duties with election campaigning.
They are also barred from using government machinery, transport or personnel for campaign activities.
Officials have been instructed to maintain strict neutrality and ensure equal treatment of all political parties during the election process.
Digital system for campaign permissions
The commission has also activated the SUVIDHA module on the ECINET platform, enabling political parties to apply online for permissions to use public spaces such as grounds, meeting venues and helipads.
These facilities will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure transparency and fairness.
Special observer appointed for Assam polls
In a separate development, the election commission has appointed Manjeet Singh, a retired Indian administrative service officer of the Rajasthan cadre, as special observer for the Assam assembly election.
The appointment has been made under the powers granted to the commission under Article 324 of the Constitution.
Singh will regularly visit Assam to monitor poll preparedness and the conduct of elections, and will provide inputs to the commission where required.
The commission said the special observer will act as its “eyes and ears” on the ground to help ensure that the elections in Assam are conducted in a free, fair, peaceful and transparent manner.
Poll timeline
Polling for the Assam assembly election is scheduled to take place on April 9, while counting of votes will be held on May 4.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had earlier stated that the commission is committed to ensuring peaceful elections in all the states going to polls.
The activation of the model code of conduct and deployment of monitoring teams mark the beginning of the formal election process in the five states and union territory.
