Political Career for Indian Youth-FAQ2-Model Code of Conduct

Political Career for Indian Youth- Model Code of Conduct-FAQ2

Whether loudspeakers can be used for public meetings or for processions or for general propaganda without obtaining permission from Police authorities?

Ans. No. Prior written permission should be obtained from the concerned police authorities for using loudspeakers.

Whether there is any time limit for using loudspeakers?

Ans. Yes. 

Loudspeaker can not be used at night between 10.00 P.M. and 6.00 A.M.

What is the deadline after which no public meetings and processions can be taken out?

Ans. Public meetings cannot be held after 10 PM and before 6.00 AM. Further, Candidate can not hold public meetings and processions during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of poll. Suppose, poll day is 15th July and hours of poll are from 8.00A.M to 5.00 P.M., then the public meetings and processions shall be closed at 5.00 P.M on the 13th July. (Refer: Sec. 126 of Representation of People Act, 1951)

Whether there are any guidelines for political parties/candidates for issue of unofficial identity slips to voters?

Ans. Yes. The unofficial identity slip, on white paper, shall contain only the particulars of the voter i.e. name, Serial number of voter, part No. in the electoral roll, S.no. and name of Polling Station and date of Poll. It should not contain the name of candidate, his photograph and symbol.

Is there any restriction on appointment of a Minister/M.P./M.L.A/M.L.C or any other person who is under security cover as an Election Agent/Polling Agent/Counting Agent?

Ans. Yes. A candidate cannot appoint a Minister/M.P./ MLA/MLC or any other person who is under security cover, as an election/polling agent/counting agent, as his personal security shall be jeopardized with such appointment, because his security personnel will not under any circumstances be permitted to accompany him into the 100 meter perimeter of polling stations described as the “Polling Station Neighborhood” and within the polling booth and campus of counting centre and within the counting centre. Also any person having security cover will not be allowed to surrender his security cover to act as such agent of a candidate.

Is a candidate allowed to appoint persons as polling agents from anywhere?

Ans. No. Such person who is appointed by the candidate as a polling agent must be an ordinarily resident and elector of the concerned polling station area only and not from outside the concerned polling area. Such person must also have Elector’s Photo Identity Card. However, in the case of polling stations exclusively manned by the women polling personnel, the restriction of resident of same polling area shall not be applied for.

Who is the authority to issue permits to Star Campaigners (Leaders) of the Political Parties who avail benefit under Section 77(1) of R.P Act, 1951?

Ans. In case the mode of road transport is to be availed of by Star Campaigners (Leaders) of political, the permit will be issued centrally by the Chief Electoral Officer. If such party applies for issue of permit for the same vehicle to be used by any leader for election campaigning throughout the State, the same may be issued for such vehicle centrally by the Chief Electoral Officer, which will be prominently displayed on windscreen of such vehicle(s) to be used by concerned leader(s). If different vehicles are to be used by such party leaders in different areas, then the permit can be issued against the name of the person concerned who will display it prominently on the windscreen of the vehicle being used by such leader.

Whether Opinion poll or Exit poll can be conducted, published, publicized or disseminated at any time?

Ans. No. The result of any opinion poll or exit poll conducted shall not be published, publicized or disseminated in any manner by print, electronic or any other media, at any time

(a) during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for closing of poll in an election held in a single phase; and

(b) in a multi-phased election, and in the case of elections in difference States announced simultaneously, at any time during the period starting from 48 hours before the hour fixed for closing of poll in the first phase of the election and till the poll is concluded in all the phases in all States.

Whether there is any restriction for transmitting Short Messages Service (SMSs)?

Ans. Yes. Transmitting objectionable messages on SMSs during election is prohibited. For objectionable SMSs which may violate the law and ECI instructions issued in this behalf, the police authorities shall advertise special mobile numbers on which the receiver of such SMS can forward the said SMS with the mobile number of sender. The police authorities shall take action under the law.

Are there any guidelines for setting up of election booth by candidate/political parties near polling station on the day of poll?

Ans. Election booth can be set up beyond a distance of 200 meters from the polling stations, only with 1 table and 2 chairs with an umbrella or a piece of tarpaulin or cloth to protect the two occupants. Only one banner (3 x 41/2 feet) can be displayed

showing the name of the candidate/ party / election symbol at the booth. However, two election booths can be set up, if more than two polling stations have been set up in a building.