With the announcement of byelections in three parliamentary and two Assembly constituencies, the model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect. Measures are being put in place to ensure it is not violated by political parties, candidates, bureaucrats and the media, said Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjiv Kumar here on Saturday.
Addressing presspersons, the CEO said the poll code would mean no transfers to election-related posts can be done without the commission’s concurrence. “The government cannot formulate any policy that will influence voters of the constituencies where bypolls are being held,” he said.
Saying that instructions have been issued to all Deputy Commissioners to put in place flying squads, static surveillance squads, mobile squads and all other enforcement activities, he said: “No election-related official can be called for a meeting by any Minister, except on issues such as calamity, flood, drinking water, etc. Ministers and politicians cannot combine their official and election-related visits.”
He said the electoral rolls for the bypolls would be the rolls used for this year’s Assembly elections, but they would be updated till the last date for filing of nominations. “This means the final rolls published on April 24, 2018 will be the base rolls,” Mr. Sanjiv Kumar said.
Applying for changes
Calling upon voters to check the voters’ list to ensure their names were not repeated, the CEO said if names were missing or corrections needed to be incorporated, voters may submit applications to the Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer on or before October 9.
The ongoing special summary revision for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will continue as usual in other constituencies. The draft rolls will be published on October 10, and claims and objections will be received till November 20. The final rolls will be published on January 4.