The State election authority announced that the model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect in view of the elections to three seats of local constituencies in the Legislative Council that have been vacant.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued notification for the elections to Warangal, Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda LAC seats on Tuesday. The Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda seats fell vacant after the election of Patnam Narender Reddy and K. Rajagopal Reddy to the Legislative Assembly in the elections held in December, while Konda Muralidhar Rao, representing the Warangal LAC, resigned from the post.
According to the schedule announced by the ECI, the filing of nominations would start from Tuesday, and May 17 is the last date for their withdrawal.
Election, if necessary, would be held on May 31 and counting of votes would take place on June 3. The election authority clarified that the entire process should be completed by June 7.
Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar said the model code of conduct would be applicable from the day of notification and would continue till the election process is completed on June 7.
The party in power has been asked not to make any forward looking statements in line with the guidelines issued in Part VII of the election code.
Election campaign
“The party in power should ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that it has used its official position for the purposes of election campaign,” he said quoting the MCC guidelines.
Though there was no restriction on convening the meeting of the State Cabinet, the government should take adequate care to ensure that no policy decisions that could influence voters were announced.
The Chief Electoral Officer’s statements assume significance in the light of reports in a section of the media about the scope for the conduct of the Assembly session towards the month-end.
Mr. Rajat Kumar also averred that the government cannot take up the expansion of the State Council of Ministers as long as the election code was in force.