Dimapur, Jan. 23 (EMN): The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force in the entire state of Nagaland, consequent upon the announcement of the schedule for the Assembly election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023 by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The office of the chief electoral officer on Monday issued some important guidelines of the ECI pertaining to MCC and Election Expenditure Monitoring (EEM) for information and compliance.
Model Code of Conduct and EEM guidelines:
1. Defacement of property
There should not be any defacement of government property, offices and premises and all wall writing, posters/ papers or defacement in any form, cutout/ hoardings, banners, flags etc. on government property should be immediately removed.
All unauthorised political advertisement in the form of wall writing/posters/papers banners cut out, flag at public spaces like railway station, bus stand, airport, roadways, government buses electric/telephone post, municipal/ local bodies building should be removed, the Model Code of Conduct guidelines stated.
All unauthorised political advertisements at private property should also be removed.
2. Misuse of official vehicles
There is a total ban on use of official vehicles by any political party, candidate or agent for campaigning, electioneering or election related travel during elections.
The expression official vehicles include truck, lorries, tempos, jeeps, cars, auto rickshaws, e-rickshaws, buses belonging to central govt., state govt. public undertakings, local bodies, municipal corporations marketing ports cooperative societies or any other body in which public funds are invested, the Model Code of Conduct stated.
3. Misuse of government dak bungalows/ rest houses
Rest houses, dak bungalows or other guest houses of the government should not be used for carrying out any political activity, meetings etc.
4. Regarding schemes, projects
No new government scheme or project should be announced and those already approved should not be started if work on it has not commenced yet.
The offering and accepting, receiving of bribe, gratification by any person is both an electoral offence and corrupt practice.
Whoever voluntarily interferes or attempt to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right commits the offence of undue at an election, the Model Code of Conduct guidelines stated.
Whoever votes at an election in the name of any other person commits the offence of personation at an election.
Booth capturing and preventing others from free exercise of their right to vote by any person is an electoral offence.
