THE STATE Election Commission on Friday directed district magistrates of all the districts to take action against ministers, government officials and candidates if they violated the model code of conduct.
The district magistrates have been directed to keep a vigil on the ministers who were moving in official vehicles. Action should be taken against ministers if they are found campaigning.
In a letter to the district magistrates State Election Commissioner Aparmita Prasad Singh said it was their responsibility to ensure that model code of conduct for the urban local bodies election were implemented. There should be no leniency in the implementation of the code, Singh said.
The State Election Commission has received over one thousand complaints since the start of the election process. Several of them are regarding violation of the model code of conduct by ministers and officials in various districts.
The SEC received a complaint that Minorities Finance Corporation chairman Ataur Rehman was moving in his official vehicle in and around Bareilly and campaigning for the candidates. Acting promptly on the complaint the SEC has restricted the entry of Rehamn in Bareilly district.
Earlier, the SEC had received a complaint that Horticulture Minister Raj Kishore Singh was distributing ‘sarees’ among the voters in Harraiya area of Basti district and Minister of State for Medical Education Vinod Kumar Singh was using the government machinery for campaigning in Gonda district.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, the SEC had received a complaint that Horticulture Minister Raj Kishore Singh was distributing ‘sarees’ among the voters in Harraiya area of Basti district and Minister of State for Medical Education Vinod Kumar Singh was using the government machinery for campaigning in Gonda district.
{{/usCountry}}Leaders of opposition parties have drawn the attention of Governor TV Rajeswar towards rampant violation of the model code of conduct and the pressure tactics being used to ensure victory of candidates. The Governor office has forwarded the complaints to the State Election Commission and directed the SEC officials to take necessary action. After the Governor’s intervention the SEC has already imposed a ban on distribution of unemployment and kanya vidya dhan yojana cheques by the chief minister.
Additional Election Commissioner Vinay Priya Dubey has directed officials concerned to investigate all the complaints regarding violation of the model code of conduct and take strict action against the defaulters. He said those who fail to impose the model code of conduct would be punished.