CEO tells parties in J&K to abide by model code of conduct

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has asked political parties to abide by the model code of conduct for the five-phase Lok Sabha polls in the state.

At a meeting of representatives of all political parties convened here yesterday, CEO Umang Narula requested them to co-operate with the officials and strictly adhere to guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding poll expenditure, publicity, election manifesto and campaigning, a spokesman said here today.

He said the commission had made elaborate arrangements for ensuring effective implementation of the model code of conduct and emphasised that the instructions issued in this regard should be read and understood by all political parties, contesting candidates and their agents.

The CEO said the expenditure observers would keep a close watch on the election expenditure of the candidates and ensure that no inducement is offered to voters.

Narula said political parties would require a prior certification for any kind of publicity during the elections, including advertisements in the form of posters, TV ads, paper ads etc.

He said the commission had created Media Certification and Monitoring Committees to deal with any paid news and other media-related violations, besides carrying out the existing provisions of pre-certification of political advertisements.

For the convenience of the voters, voter slip along with the photo would be distributed to all enrolled voters by the DEO. These slips would be accepted as identity proof of voters at polling stations, Narula said.

He said all electoral rolls would be exhibited at the polling stations on March 9 for addition of any left out voters.

He asked all political parties to co-operate for a free and fair conduct of elections in the state.