Political Career for Indian Youth-General Elections-Model Code of Conduct-FAQ9

Political Career for Indian Youth-General Elections-Model Code of Conduct-FAQ9

Can an official meet the minister on his private visit to the Constituency where elections are being held?

Ans. No. Any official who meets the Minister on his private visit to the constituency shall be guilty of misconduct under the relevant service rules; and if he happens to be an official mentioned in Section 129 (1) of the Representation of People Act, 1951, he shall also be additionally considered to have violated the statutory provisions of that Section and liable to penal action provided there under.

Whether Ministers are entitled for official vehicle during the election?

Ans. Ministers are entitled to use their official vehicles only for commuting from their official residence to their office for official work provided that such commuting is not combined with any electioneering or any political activity.

Whether Ministers or any other political functionaries can use pilot car with beacon lights affixed with siren?

Ans. Minister or any other political functionary is not allowed during election period, to use pilot car or car with beacon lights of any colour or car affixed with sirens of any kind whether on private or official visit, even if the State administration has granted him a security cover requiring presence of armed guards to accompany him on such visit. This prohibition is applicable whether the vehicle is government owned or private owned.

Suppose there is a visit of President / Vice President at any place in the State. Is a Minister allowed to use VIP Car with other protocol?

Ans. Yes. The Minister may leave with VIP car and other protocol from his headquarters to the place of visit of President/ Vice President and return to his headquarters without attending any other function/meeting with any other political functionary. This restriction shall be applicable from the time he leaves the Headquarters and till he reaches back the headquarters.

Suppose a vehicle has been provided to Minister by the State and the Minister is given an allowance for maintenance of such vehicle. Can it be used by the Minister for election purposes?

Ans.Where a vehicle is provided by the State or the Minister is given an allowance for maintenance of the vehicle, he cannot use such vehicle for election.

Whether facility of official vehicles can be withdrawn from those ministers who violate the provisions of Model Code of conduct?

Ans. Yes. The Chief Electoral Officer shall also recover the cost of propulsion from the ministers who may misuse their official position.

Whether there is any restriction or visits of members of National Commission for Schedule Castes or any other similar National/State Commissions?

It is advised that all official visits of Members of such Commissions shall be deferred, unless any such visit becomes unavoidable in an emergent situation, till the completion of election exercise to avoid any misunderstanding that may arise in any quarters.
Whether members of Finance Commission of Govt. of India can visit State(s)?

Ans. Yes. Provided neither the press briefings nor press notes would be issued, highlighting the achievements of the State or otherwise.

Whether Chief Minister and other Ministers can attend New Year Day function (of the State), which is a State function?

Ans. No. Only Chief Secretary and other officials may participate and no political person including Chief Minister or Minister may participate in such function where Govt. funds are used.
Whether a Chief Minister/Minister/Speaker can attend a “State Day” function of a State?

Ans. There is no objection provided that he does not make any political speech on the occasion and the function is to be conducted only by Govt. officials. No advertisement depicting the photograph of Chief Minister/Minister/Speaker shall be released.