Election Model Code of Conduct : Republic Day
Date : 8th January 2017

The Election Commission of India (ECl) vide Press NotesNo.ECl/PN/1/2017 & No. ECI/PN/2/2017 dated 0410112017has announced 2(two) phases of Poll Schedule for the General Elections to the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly and with the announcement of Election Schedule by the Election Commission, the Model Code of Conduct came into effect w.e.f. 4th January, 2017 and applies to the whole of Manipur State and applicable to all candidates, political parties, the State and Union Government as far as Manipur State is concerned.

A. Gelebration of Republic Day - attendance of political functionaries:

(i). There is no objection to Central Ministers/Chief Ministers/Ministers in the States to do the honours in the main Republic Day functions at various locations subject to the condition that in their speeches, they should confine themselves to extolling the achievements of the Martyrs in securing freedom of the country, glory of 'the Indian State and so on. Under no circumstances, they should become a platform for political campaign.

(ii). The Commission, however, has no objection to organisation of Kavi Sammelan, Mushairas or other cultural functions organised in connection with the Republic Day celebrations and being attended by the Central Ministers, Chief Ministers, Ministers in the States and other political functionaries. However, utmost care should be taken to ensure that no political speeches are made on the occasion.

(iii). The Commission has further decided that investiture ceremonies at the National and State level and distribution of Tamra Patras to freedom fighters, etc, will be done according to the existing conventions,

(iv). "ln view of the fact that Republic Day celebrations will come during the election process and that the Central Ministers, Chief Ministers and Ministers in the States belong to political parties and alliances and may even be the candidates, the Commission, purely in the interest of ensuring a level playing field, directs that no Central Minister/Chief Minister/Minister or any other political functionary in the States/Ex-MPs shall do the honours at any Republic Day functions at any location within their home district or constituency or the constituency from where he or she is a contesting candidate or intends to contest."

(v). The Ministers shall not hoist flags in their home districts nor in the districts in which the Constituencies from where they are contesting elections, fall.

B. lftar Party - 10000 invitees at CM's residence at State cost: The question was referred to the Commission from the State of Bihar seeking a clarification as to whether the lftehar Party can be hosted by the Chief Minister to be attended by about 10,000 invitees, the expense for which will made by the State exchequer. The Commission is of the view that any entertainment at State cost on a religious occasion would not be correct and specially during the continuance of the election process. However, any individual is free by all means to host any such party in his personal capacity and meeting the expense with his or her personal account on their own.

C. Ban on Video Conferencing:

(a). No video conferencing should take place between the Chief Ministers of the States, Ministers and other political functionaries of the Union and State Governments and the officials individually or collectively, after the announcement of elections and from the date from which Model Code of Conduct comes into force in a state or the constituencY.

(b). In the immediate aftermath of any calamity of significant scale/magnitude, if video-conferencing is considered essential, then Chief Minister or Minister concerned may hold one video-conferencing with the officials concerned subject to the following conditions:-

(i) The CEO of the State shall be approached by the Department concerned and approval of the CEO should be obtained before holding the VC. For any subsequent VC, permission from the Commission shall be obtained:

(ii) Only the Collector/District Magistrate and senior officials in charge of the relief in connection with the natural calamity of the area concerned alone shall be called to attend the video-conferencing;

(iii) No issue other than rescue/relief and other aspects connected to the calamity shall be discussed in the VC;

(iv) No publicity whatsoever shall be given for the VC, either before or after the VC,

(v) The VC should not be open to media;

(vi) An AudioA/ideo recording of the proceedings of the VC shall be maintained by the Department concerned and a copy of the same given to the CEO;

(vii) No announcement or promise of any grant, assistance in cash or kind, and no statement of political nature or announcement capable of influencing the electors shall be made through the VC.

(viii) A representative of the CEO will be present during the VC.

(Vivek Kumar Dewangan)
Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur