The model code of conduct has been enforced in MP with declaration of assembly polls. Voting would be done on November 28 while counting would be done on December 11. Conduct of government officials would remain under surveillance and action would be taken against anyone who violates the conduct. With implementation of model code, photos of chief minister and ministers would be removed from all government offices and government websites. CEO Rao said that 31% polling stations have been added in the state taking number of booths to 65,341.
Voter guides would visit 1.18 crore houses across the state to bring awareness among voters and raise the voting percentage to 80%. Voters slips would be distributed house to house to 5.03 crore voters of the state. Randomisation of EVMs would be done at three levels. Name along with photos of the contesting candidates would be displayed at the EVMs. All polling booths will have basic facilities including ones for facilitation of specially challenged voters. Posters educating voters about EVMs and VVPATs would be displayed outside polling stations. One pink booth would be developed in each constituency that would have all women staff.
There are about 15,000 sensitive booths in the state and they would be monitored through videography, webcasting and placed under
CCTV surveillance. All districts will make their districtelection plan separately. Election commission has urged the political parties
to adopt eco-friendly publicity means. They should use less of plastic material like plastic banner or flagsetc during campaigning.
Contestants should also stick to timing and decibel level while using loudspeakers, said the CEO. Ensuring free and fair elections, he said that vulnerability mapping of the booths have been done to ensure that SC/ST voters exercise their franchise without fear. Separate surveillance units would constantly keep check if rules are followed. A special media monitoring team would keep check on paid news and social media for any violation of law.
All political advertisements need to take precertification from election authorities. Four types of observer teams including general observers, police observers, micro observers and expenditure observers across the state would ensure strict implementation of election conduct and action against the violators.
Complaints against officials working in
partisan manner Chief electoral officer, VL Kantha Rao admitted that he had received complaint against the chief secretary about two months ago and he has sent the answer to New Delhi. Rao also admitted that he had received complaints against some officials working in a partisan manner. An inquiry would be done and on the complaint and then action would be taken. Officials would be transferred from their current posts if complaintagainst them is found true.