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New Delhi, Dec. 24: The Election Commission today announced the poll schedule for Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, bringing into effect the model code of conduct for candidates, parties, the Centre and the five state governments.
The code prohibits any appeal to voters on the ground of caste or religion and bars use of religious places for canvassing. It also restrains governments from announcing any measures that can swing votes.
Chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi, who announced the schedule at a media conference, however, refused to answer when asked what the panel’s response would be if the Centre went ahead and notified the 4.5 per cent sub-quota for Muslims within the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs.
The Centre had announced the sub-quota on December 22.
“As per established practice, the EC holds the general elections to the Legislative Assemblies of the states whose terms expire around the same time, together,” Quraishi announced, reading from a written note.
Among other things, Quraishi said, the commission would keep a hawk eye on use of money power in the elections. Candidates will have to open a bank account and spend money from that account and submit the details later. Flying squads and video surveillance teams will keep an eye on candidates and parties.
The commission will keep a close watch for paid news too. Monitoring committees have been set up at multiple levels, the media note said. These committees will for the first time include senior journalists, who will be nominees of the Press Council of India, commission sources said.
In a departure from practice, the commission, taking into account the high voter card coverage in these five states, will identify voters only on the basis of their EPIC cards. But should it be required, separate instructions will be issued to allow additional documents for identification of voters, the media note said.
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