Haryana NEWS : State Election Commissioner Dhanpat Singh emphasized that all political parties and candidates are required to strictly comply with the Model Code of Conduct.
Haryana State Election Commissioner, Sh. Dhanpat Singh, emphasized that all political parties and candidates must strictly comply with the Model Code of Conduct during the upcoming Municipal elections. He underscored the need for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure a fair, peaceful, and transparent electoral process.
Addressing a meeting with political party representatives at Nirvachan Sadan in Panchkula on Monday, Sh. Dhanpat Singh stated that no party or candidate should engage in divisive activities that create social, religious, or communal tensions. He strictly prohibited the use of caste or religion-based appeals for votes and instructed that religious places such as temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras should not be used for election campaigns.
He further stressed compliance with the Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act, prohibiting political parties and candidates from placing banners, flags, notices, or slogans on private property without the owner’s consent. Campaigning will officially end at 6 PM on February 28, and any attempts to bribe, threaten, intimidate, or induce voters will lead to strict legal action by the District Administration and the State Election Commission. Additionally, political parties and candidates are barred from transporting voters to polling stations on election day.
Sh. Dhanpat Singh also directed that political gatherings should only be held at designated locations as per administrative guidelines. He urged all political parties, candidates, and supporters to maintain mutual respect and harmony throughout the election period. To ensure free, fair, and peaceful civic elections, general, police, and expenditure observers have been appointed, and a sufficient police force will be deployed. Sensitive and highly sensitive polling booths will receive additional security arrangements.
During the meeting, political party representatives shared their concerns and suggestions with the State Election Commissioner. They requested clear guidelines on the 100-meter radius restriction around polling stations and suggested that campaign materials should not be removed from private residences where the owners have permitted their display. Additionally, they sought proper provisions for securing election agents’ mobile phones at polling booths on election day.
Regarding the vote counting process, representatives proposed that seating arrangements should allow counting agents to clearly see the vote tally on EVMs. They also requested the immediate distribution of Form No. 17 or 18 (as applicable) to election agents after voting concludes. In response, Sh. Dhanpat Singh assured that necessary instructions would be issued to all returning officers to address these concerns.