Imphal, March 24 2009: To facilitate submission of reports related to violation of Model Code of Conduct of the two-phased Parliamentary election in the State, the Election Commission of India has instructed setting up of media cell headed by a Public Relationship Officer with appropriate manpower in each district headquarters.

The main duty of proposed media cell is to prepare a file containing of all the important press clippings of the election as well as political scenario of the locality with special emphasis on events related to violations of the code of conduct as reported for handing over the same to the Election Observer concerned.

The media cell would also be entrusted with the duty of monitoring the news channel and note down the important events reported in the media on election as well as the advertisements given by various candidates and political parties by a group of officials.

The report of the news clippings in the electronic media is to be handed over to the Observer concerned by 5.30 pm every day while that of the press clippings by 10 am every day and there should not be any variation in this regard.

The instruction of the Election Commission has also made it clear that the news clipping appearing in local vernacular should be translated in English and a gist of such important news clippings on election and other political development should be prepared at the time of handing over the report to the Observer concerned.

On the other hand, in connection with the conduct of the two-phased Lok Sabha election in the State, the Election Commission has directed submission of the scanned affidavits of the candidates pertaining to involvement in criminal cases and their assets an liabilities after the last date of withdrawal of candidature.

The directive of the Election Commission has been consequently communicated to the ROs concerned of the Inner and Outer Parliamentary Constituency by the by the Joint Chief Electoral Officer of the State.

According to sources, no candidate have filed their monitation to contest in the election from the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency till today.

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