The Election Commission of India (ECI) has shot off a communication to Punjab chief secretary asking him to put together all the necessary instructions, it has issued in the recent past, so that model code of conduct be implemented effectively as soon the elections are announced.
With this, there are clear indications that the Election Commissions is all prepared to announce the elections anytime now in Punjab, along with four other poll-bound States of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur.
The Commission, in its letter to the Cabinet secretary and chief secretaries of all poll-bound States, has issued a list of dos and don'ts issued including prevention of misuse of public place, avoiding use of official vehicles for campaigning, removing pictures of political functionaries from the State Government websites and bar on use of public money for advertisements to help the ruling party, among other things.
It has also reminded the political parties to approach the media certification and monitoring committees at the district and State level, for pre-certification of their political advertisements proposed to be issued in the electronic media.
The Assembly polls are expected to be announced by the first week of January, for all five States.
Meanwhile, the office of Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Wednesday announced that all the candidates, whether belonging to any political party or Independent contesting forthcoming elections to Punjab Vidhan Sabha, would have to bear the expense incurred on setting up of the booths outside the polling stations.
Punjab CEO VK Singh said that in accordance with the instructions issued by the Election Commission of India, all the District Election Officers have been directed to inform the contestants that the expense of setting up of the kiosk outside the polling stations would be borne by the candidates themselves.
The per day wages, of the two employees deputed on duty by the candidates or political party, as per the wages fixed at the national level including the cost incurred on their refreshments and cost of the booths or kiosks would be added to the poll expenses of the candidates, he said.
Giving the dimensions of the kiosks set up outside the polling booths, Singh said that the booths should be of 10X10 feet enclosure with shade, two chairs and a table.
The final rates of setting up of the kiosks would be finalised in consultations with the district election officers, he added.