Stern Action to Be Taken for Violation of Model Code of Conduct, Warns CEO

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sushil Kumar Lohani on Thursday warned of stern action for violation of model code of conduct in the Dhamnagar by-election.

Addressing a press conference, Lohani said model code of conduct is a guiding principle which all the stake holders in the election process have to follow meticulously. Even all the Government servants are bound by the provisions of model code of conduct. Anyone found violating poll code will invite action, he said.

Some allegations have come to the notice of the Commission where bribery and undue influence are resorted to by some candidates/member of political party or their supporters. Any violation of the law and the Model Code of Conduct will attract severe action. 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, Lohani said.

The Election Commission of India further stated that an all-party meeting with the representatives of political parties was recently held where in the Do’s and Don’ts for guidance of political parties have been circulated. All are advised to follow those provisions meticulously.

The ECI 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 action will be taken within 100 min of the complaint, he added.

So far, we have received 102 complaints relating to misuse of vehicles, violation of loudspeaker act, illegal meetings, inducement/gratification etc. 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.

Police has also initiated a number of enforcement measures regarding the complaint. While 639 licensed arms have been deposited in concerned police stations so far, 2011 persons have been booked under preventive sections of 107 & 116 CRPC. On the other hand, 196 Non bailable warrants have been executed.

“Enforcement against excise law violators have been intensified following this 197 Excise cases have been booked and 216 persons have been arrested. Around 14,000 Ltrs. of Liquor worth Rs 15.5 Lakh has been seized.

Regular flag march is being organised in all the GPs and villages by the central para military forces,” he added.