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Projects halted as Model Code of Conduct kicks in for elections

Along with the halt on new developments due to Model Code of Conduct, a voter registration drive has received 18,000 applications ahead of the Haryana elections

Updated on: Aug 21, 2024, 06:12:16 IST
By , Gurugram
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The district administration in Gurugram, led by district commissioner and electoral officer Nishant Kumar Yadav, has issued a directive to halt all new development projects ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana, officials said. This move is in line with the model code of conduct, which aims to maintain fairness and impartiality throughout the electoral process, they added

DC Yadav emphasised the importance of adhering to this directive to ensure that elections are conducted fairly and transparently (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo )
DC Yadav emphasised the importance of adhering to this directive to ensure that elections are conducted fairly and transparently (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo )

DC Yadav’s directive affects all central and state government entities, including various departments, boards, and corporations, and prohibits the initiation of any new projects or the issuance of related tenders. Projects that began before August 16, however, can continue, he added.

“This measure seeks to prevent the misuse of developmental initiatives as a means to sway the electorate, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process,” Yadav said during a meeting with district officials on Tuesday.

In the meeting, the DC emphasised the importance of adhering to this directive to ensure that elections are conducted fairly and transparently. “Our focus must remain on facilitating the electoral process and ensuring that all polling stations are well-equipped and ready to serve the electorate efficiently,” he said. Yadav added that they have instructed officials to ensure that polling stations in Pataudi, Badshahpur, Sohna, and Gurugram are fully prepared with all necessary facilities to accommodate voters effectively.

In addition to the halt on new developments, a voter registration drive in Gurugram has received 18,000 applications in the lead-up to the elections. Of these, 5,204 new voters have been successfully added to the electoral rolls, while 269 applications were rejected due to discrepancies, said officials. The remaining applications are expected to be processed by August 26, ahead of the final voter list publication scheduled for Wednesday, they added.

Yadav emphasised the importance of this initiative, and said that ensuring every eligible voter is registered is crucial for the integrity of the electoral process. “Our teams are working diligently to address and resolve all pending applications promptly. This effort underscores the district’s commitment to facilitating an inclusive electoral process where every vote counts. The focus now shifts to finalising the electoral rolls, setting the stage for a well-organised election in Gurugram,” said Yadav. He also highlighted the importance of this initiative and said, “Our teams are working diligently to address and resolve all pending applications promptly.”

  • Leena Dhankhar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Leena Dhankhar

    Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More