EC relaxes model code of conduct

The code of conduct will now apply “only in respect of the areas falling in the Assembly constituency(s)/Parliamentary constituency going for by-election and not to the entire district(s) in which such constituency is situated”.

This will apply to the implementation of schemes of MNREGA; extending relief and works in case of natural calamities; digging of bore-wells; work under MPLAD,MLA and MLC LAD scheme,and “announcement and commencement of new projects,programme,concessions and financial grants.”

However,all other existing instructions on the model code of conduct on matters like tours of ministers,vehicles,advertisements,use of government guest houses,transfers of officers,etc will continue to remain applicable to the entire district in which the constituency going for the bypoll is situated.

The decision comes after some state governments,especially Andhra Pradesh – where 19 of the constituencies going to polls on June 12 fall – approached the EC and asked it to be “liberal” about the implementation of the code.

The code has often been criticised for stalling development work or major policy announcements. Th’ EC’s argument has been that this is mandatory to ensure a level playing field – and not give undue advantage to the incumbent.

At today’s meeting,it was decided that the code should not hamper governance or come in the way of key decisions,especially when elections are only in some constituencies. A blanket interpretation of the code extends to the various districts that each constituency can be a part of.

EC Secretary K N Bhar today issued the directives to the Cabinet Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of the states,including Uttar Pradesh,Andhra Pradesh,Goa,Jharkhand,Kerala,Madhya Pradesh,Maharashtra,Tamil Nadu,Tripura and West Bengal.

In UP,the bypoll has been announced in Mant Assembly seat of Mathura district. In Andhra Pradesh,bypolls have been announced for 18 Assembly seats and one parliamentary seat.

UP Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said no such request for reconsidering the issue of enforcement of code of conduct was sent from the state.