Ranchi, Feb. 21: The state election commission today asserted that the model code of conduct has to be imposed for the ensuing municipal elections even as a case in this regard was pending in the high court.

“The state government has some difficulties in implementing it as this is the last month of the current fiscal. So, the Jharkhand High Court today gave it the option to vindicate its problems on Monday,” state election commissioner M.K. Mandal told The Telegraph.

The commission moved the high court after the state government decided against implementing the model code of conduct.

It argued that the code was not imperative, as the elections were not being held on political party lines.

“Moreover, the code will bring the development wheel to a standstill in the last month of the fiscal when maximum funds are utilised,” said a government official.

Mandal, however, countering the stand, said: “It was for everybody to see how the political parties were taking interest in the civic polls being held in the state after over two decades. However, we have not yet received any complaint regarding political parties circumventing the model code.”

The state government officials, though, differed.

“Elections are being held in the municipalities. Putting a ban on transfer and posting of officers throughout the state does not seem to have any link with free and fair elections,” said an official. It also imposes a blanket ban on appointment of personnel in any wing of the government, including corporations, he added.

Chief secretary P.P. Sharma said: “Under municipal laws, the commission has to take decisions in consultation with the government. So, it cannot take any unilateral decision.”

Reservation cases

After questioning the reservation policy to be implemented in the forthcoming municipal polls in Ranchi, Chhatra Yuva Sangharsha Samiti president Uday Shankar Ojha today challenged the Jharkhand Municipal Corporation Act, which provides for a woman to be elected as the mayor of the corporation.

While hearing his petition, the court directed the state to file a counter-affidavit and explain the basis of the reservation policy. The matter would again be taken up on Tuesday.