EC tells Haryana not to announce results of recruitment process till completion of polls

Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on August 18 and August 19 about a series of advertisements for government recruitment, including for 5,600 constable posts. He alleged these advertisements issued on August 16, when the poll schedule was announced, violated the model code of conduct.

In response to Ramesh, the commission said it had examined the matter and received reports from the state government. The advertisement for 5,600 police constable posts and 76 teachers posts were published by the Haryana Public Service Commission at 1.45 pm on August 16, it said. The commission announced the elections at 3 pm that day.

“It is amply clear that the selection process was initiated and necessary communications were sent by State Government to concerned statutory authorities much before date of enforcement of MCC. Statutory authorities have also started process including advertisement before enforcement of MCC,” the commission wrote to Ramesh.

It added that there was no bar on continuing the regular recruitment process by the Union Public Service Commission, state public service commissions, staff selection commissioners or any other statutory authority.

“Therefore, there is no violation of Commission’s instructions on Model Code of Conduct. However, in order to maintain the level playing field and to ensure that no undue advantage is accrued to anyone, the Commission has directed the State Government not to declare the results of these recruitments till completion of General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Haryana,” the commission said.

Polling for the 90-member Haryana Assembly will take place on October 1 and the counting of votes is scheduled for October 4.