The Hindu : Model code: what it means for parties, candidates

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 01, 2004

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National

Model code: what it means for parties, candidates

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, FEB. 29. Under the model code of conduct which came into force today, the following guidelines have been issued by the Election Commission for the political parties and candidates contesting the coming Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections in some States:

1. No party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.

2. Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.

3. There shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as forums for election propaganda.

4. All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously activities which are `corrupt practices' and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 metres of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling station.

5. The right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbed home life shall be respected, however much the political parties or candidates may resent his political opinions or activities; organising demonstrations or picketing before the houses of individuals by way of protesting against their opinions or activities shall not be resorted to under any circumstances.6. No political party or candidate shall permit its or his/her followers to make use of any individual's land, building, compound wall, etc., without his permission, for erecting flag-staffs, suspending banners, pasting notices, writing slogans, etc.

7. Political parties and candidates shall ensure that their supporters do not create obstructions or break up meetings and processions organised by other parties. Workers or sympathisers of one political party shall not create disturbances at public meetings organised by another political party by putting questions orally or in writing or by distributing leaflets of their own party. Processions shall not be taken out by one party along places at which another party is holding meetings. Workers of another party shall not remove posters issued by one party.

On holding meetings, the code says: The party or candidate shall inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any proposed meeting well in time so as to enable the police to make necessary arrangements for controlling traffic and maintaining peace and order.

2. A party or candidate shall ascertain in advance if there are any restrictive or prohibitory orders in force in the place proposed for the meeting. If such orders exist, they shall be followed strictly. If any exemption is required from such orders, it shall be applied for and obtained well in time.

3. If permission or licence is to be obtained for the use of loudspeakers or any other facility in connection with any proposed meeting, the party or candidate shall apply to the authority concerned well in advance and obtain such permission or licence.

4. Organisers of a meeting shall invariably seek the assistance of the police on duty for dealing with persons disturbing a meeting or otherwise attempting to create disorder. Organisers themselves shall not take action against such persons.

The Commission has warned that any breach of the model code will be sternly dealt with.

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