Model Code of Conduct has Been Enforced from the Date of Announcement of Election: DPME
Port Blair, Jan 31: Shri. Suneel Anchipaka, Director, Panchayat and Municipal Elections (DPME) today conducted an all political party meeting at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman.
The DPME, A&N Islands Election briefed the party representatives that the Election Commission for UTs has called upon all for General Elections in constituencies of all Gram Panchayats (except Gram Panchayats of Netaji Nagar and Hutbay), Panchayat Samities, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman and Zilla Parishad, North and Middle Andaman and all wards of Port Blair Municipal Council notification of which shall be issued on 04th of February 2022 by the Administrator of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
It was informed that the Model Code of Conduct has been enforced from the date of announcement of election schedule by the Election Commission and shall be operational till the process of election is over. He requested all to abide by the principles embodied in the Model Code and also to respect and observe it in its letter and spirit. It was briefed that the complete set of Electoral rolls may be collected from the office of the Director, Panchayat and Municipal Elections 04.02.2022.
The DPME detailed the gathering about various measures being undertaken for conduct of free and fair elections in the Islands viz. enforcement team for strict implementation of Model Code of Conduct, Flying squad shall be deployed to monitor violations ahead of election to local bodies and the team will videograph all their inspections and track poll code violations apart from monitoring of all political activities.
The DPME requested the representatives of political parties that bare minimum supporters along with candidates shall be allowed at the time of filing nomination and only candidates, election agents, a proposer shall be allowed on the day of filing nominations following all COVID protocols.
The DPME informed that advance permission for holding meeting by political parties should be obtained by the candidates as well as political parties and that there shall be prohibition on defacement of public property. The candidates should refrain from such activities during campaigning. A dedicated 24X7 Control Room has been set up to attend to receive complaints during the election process
The DPME, A&N Island briefed that the training for Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officers and to the master trainers shall commence from 01.02.2022 at the Green Building Conference Hall at DBRAIT, Dollygunj.
The representatives of political parties also shared their views and sought clarifications with the Director, Panchayat & Municipal Elections which was redressed in the meeting.