Bhubaneswar: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sushil Kumar Lohani on Thursday warned that violation of the model code of conduct will attract severe action.
“Some allegations have come to the notice of the Election Commission where bribery and undue influence are resorted to by some candidates/members of a political party or their supporters. Any violation of the law and the Model Code of Conduct will attract severe action,” the CEO said in a press release.
Therefore, all candidates and political parties involved in the current bye election are advised to strictly adhere to the MCC and legal provisions prohibiting such corrupt practices, the CEO added.
The CEO stated that an all-party meeting with the representatives of political parties was conducted recently wherein the Do’s and Don’ts for the guidance of political parties have been circulated.
All are advised to follow those provisions meticulously, the CEO added.
Lohani has said that Election Commission announced Bye Election to 46-Dhamnagar AC vide press note dated October 3, 2022.
The provisions of the Model Code of Conduct have come into operation with immediate effect in the district of Bhadrak since then, Lohani added.
“Model code of conduct is a guiding principle which all the stakeholders in the election process have to follow meticulously. Even all the Government servants are bound by the provisions of model code of conduct,” he asserted.
He informed that of late a number of complaints are being received against various political parties regarding violation of the model code of conduct.
“There are specific provisions under the law to deal with such cases of electoral offences, like ‘bribery’ and ‘undue influence’ to interfere with the free exercise of the electoral right of a person, provided under Section 171B, 171C, 171E & 171 F of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 123(1) and 123(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, he pointed out.
C-Vigil mobile app
The CEO informed that the Election Commission of India has launched an online application for citizens to report model code of conduct (MCC) / expenditure violations during the election period.
The application is called ‘cVIGIL’ to denote vigilant citizens of our country who can play a proactive and responsible role in the conduct of free and fair elections.
cVIGIL Citizen App allows vigilant citizens to give live reports on incidents of MCC/ expenditure violation within minutes of having witnessed them.
The commission has set a time boundation of 100 mins, all the reported complaints will be taken care of, within a minimal time of 100 mins by the commission.
District administration has made elaborate arrangements for enforcing the model code of conduct in the district and in the constituency.
“We have received 102 complaints relating to misuse of vehicles, violation of the loudspeaker act, illegal meetings, inducement/gratification, etc. Action has been taken in all cases including lodging of 2 FIRs against the violators. We have also detected 1614 cases relating to defacement of public & private property and also 2006 cases of posters, banners, wall writings on public and private property and action has been taken on all,” Lohani clarified.
He said that Police have also initiated a number of enforcement measures, 639 licensed arms have been deposited in concerned police stations so far.
As many as 2011 persons have been booked under preventive sections of 107 & 116 CRPC and 196 Non-bailable warrants have been executed, he added.
Enforcement against excise law violators has been intensified, 197 Excise cases have been booked and 216 persons have been arrested and 14,000 Ltrs. of Liquor worth Rs 15.5 Lakh has been seized, he said.
The CEO stated that flag march is being organized on regular basis in all the GPs and villages by the central para military forces.
As many as 3 numbers of static surveillance teams and 3 nos. of flying squads are in place to take up enforcement activities. 12 Sector magistrates have also been deployed, he added.
So far, 6 no. of complaints through C-vigil and 16 complaints through Toll-free number 1950, and 46 complaints through Whats app of Observer, DEO & RO have been received and redressed, the CEO said.
“All the office bearers, leaders, and workers of various political parties are once again advised to adhere to the model code of conduct and do’s and don’ts issued by Election Commission. Any violation in this regard will attract severe action,” he reiterated.
