Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh January 19: The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Bye-election for the Khadoor Sahib Assembly constituency slated on February 13, 2016 and also announced the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in district Tarntaran.
However, after taking into consideration all the relevant facts regarding the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in the entire district during the bye-election in just one constituency, the Election Commission of India has made partial modification in the earlier instructions with regard to Model Code of Conduct.
All the instructions of the Commission issued regulating the implementation of schemes of MGNREGA, extending relief and starting works in case of Natural Calamities, Drought, Flood, Drinking Water, Digging of Bore-wells, Fodder, Agricultural inputs & input subsidies to farmers, New Developmental work(whether beneficiary or work oriented) including work under MPLAD, MLA and MLC LAD scheme, Announcement and commencement of New Projects, Programme, Concessions, Financial Grants, Defacement of Property, Use of Government Property for Campaign purpose etc. shall now be applicable only in respect of the areas falling in the Assembly/Parliamentary Constituency(s) going for bye-election and not to the entire district in which such constituency is situated.
Similarly, ban on transfers of officers (except the District Election Officer, Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer, and District Superintendent of Police and other officers directly concerned with the conduct of election) under the Model Code of Conduct shall be applicable only in the areas falling in the Assembly/ Parliamentary Constituency going for the bye-election and NOT in the entire District in which the Constituency is situated.
However, all other existing instructions of the commission on Model code of conduct on matters like Tours of Ministers, Vehicles, Advertisements, use of Government Guest Houses and all other prevailing instructions of the Commission shall continue to remain applicable to the entire district in which the constituency in which the bye- election is to be held.
Moreover, the Commission has decided to use EVMs in the bye-election in all the polling stations of the constituency. Adequate number of EVMs would be made available to conduct polls smoothly with the help of these machines.
Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) shall be the main document of identification. However, separate instructions would be issued pertaining to other documents that can be used for identification.
As far as release of funds under MPLAD Scheme, Commission has decided that no release of funds under this scheme (including the Rajya Sabha member) can be made in the constituency where election has to take place, until the completion of the election process. No new works to start in such an area, however the ongoing works may continue and there will be no bar on releasing payments for the works completed.
