The Election Commission of India on Saturday urged all Government officers and employees to discharge their duties impartially during the State Assembly Elections due November 25 this year.
A new guidelines issued by the Commission said that people in the State must have their trust in their impartiality and added that officers and employees should not do any work which might create suspicion that they are supporting a particular party or candidate.
Stating that they should not participate in any electioneering, the poll panels further informed that officers and employees should also ensure that no party or candidate is able to make use of their official position or powers vested in them.
The guidelines further reminded them that working during election of any particular candidate is violated provisions of Madhya Pradesh Civil Service Conduct Rules 1965. Through the guidelines, their attention has been drawn towards Section 28 (A) of Representation of the People Act 1951. It has been said that officers and employees of the State Government and designated police officers deployed for election duty will be deemed on deputation to the Election Commission till declaration of election results and will remain under control, supervision and discipline of the Election Commission till then. The Commission will take disciplinary action on negligence against officers, employees and police personnel on election duty. Observers appointed
The Election Commission of India has appointed general observers in all 230 constituencies in Madhya Pradesh to ensure free and fair elections, official sources said.
These observers will arrive in their respective constituency on November 8. General observers will extensively tour the constituencies under their charge to gather information about electoral process constantly.
Office of the Chief Electoral Officer here directed district election officers to apprise political parties and common people about names of general observers appointed in their districts.
General observers have been appointed from Indian Administrative Service, Indian Forest Service and other All-India Services. A report from Jabalpur said general observers have been appointed in this district's eight Assembly constituencies. The observers would arrive to their respective constituency on November 8 and would stay till December 8.