Haryana Election Commission on Saturday reviewed the arrangements being made for smooth conduct of Assembly elections in the State and apprised District Election Officers and Returning Officers of all Assembly constituencies about various aspects of Model Code of Conduct.
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Shrikant Walgad, who held a videoconference with DEOs on Saturday asked them to ensure effective implementation of the model code of conduct. He directed the election officers to hold district level meetings with all political parties and make them aware about the Model Code of Conduct.
He said that during the ensuing elections, printers would be connected with electronic voting machines in six Assembly constituencies, namely Sonepat, Panipat, Karnal, Thanesar, Gurgaon and Rohtak so as to provide a slip to voters bearing voting information after they exercise their right to vote.
Walgad said that this time, single window system would be implemented in all Assembly constituencies to facilitate a candidate in completing all procedures and requirements related to elections. The Election Commission would start a campaign so as to motivate voters to cast their vote and for this, help of State icon, Meghna Malik would be sought, said he.
For the smooth conduct of elections in Haryana, effective safety measures have been adopted. Haryana Police along with paramilitary forces would be deployed. Apart from this, flying squads for surprise checkings and Quick Reaction Teams for rapid action would be constituted in all Assembly constituencies, added the CEO.
With the announcement of schedule for holding general elections, the provisions of the model code of conduct for the guidance of the political parties and candidates have come into force with immediate effect and will be in force till the completion of the general elections. The model code will be applicable in the entire State. This would be brought to the notice of the Central and State Governments, all Ministries and Departments and all other offices of the Central and the State Governments, said Walgad.
He said that the Government transport including official air-crafts, vehicles, machinery and personnel should not be used for furtherance of the interest of the party in power.
The use of public places such as grounds, for holding election meetings, and use of helipads for air-flights in connection with elections should not be monopolised by itself. Other parties and candidates should be allowed the use of such places and facilities on the same terms and conditions on which they are used by the party in power. Rest houses, dak bungalows or other Government accommodation where elections have been announced or are taking place can be given to the political functionaries who are provided security by the State in Z scale or above or equivalent by various State Governments or the Central Government under provisions of their laws, on equitable basis, said the Chief Electoral Officer.
He added that the Commission has directed that there should be a total ban on the transfer of all officers and officials connected with the conduct of the election. Also, the Commission has considered the release of funds under the Member of Parliament local Area Development Schemes and has stipulated that no fresh release of funds under the Member of Parliament (including Rajya Sabha members) local Area Development Fund should be made.