EC to declare poll schedule soon, alerts states
Thursday, 29/12/2016
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=170493&boxid=65019&uid=&dat=2016-12-29
New Delhi: In an indication that assembly elections to five states could be announced anytime now, the Election Commission (EC) has asked the Centre and the state governments to implement the model code of conduct as soon as the schedule is out.
In a letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary and Chief Secretaries of the poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab, the EC has compiled a set of instructions issued in the past to drive home the point that model code should be implemented effectively with the announcement of poll schedule.
The list of do’s and don’ts issued by the EC includes prevention of misuse of public place, avoiding use of official vehicles for campaigning, removing pictures of political functionaries from state government websites and bar on use of public money for advertisements to help the ruling party.
Assembly polls could be announced by January 4 to the five states.
Except UP, which may go for a seven-phased election, the other states could have elections on a single day.
While the term of the Uttar Pradesh assembly expires on May 27 next, the terms of four state assemblies end in March next.
