NEW DELHI: Appeals to caste or communal feelings for securing votes and the use of mosques temples or other places of worship as for a election propaganda will be banned with effect from today when the model code of conduct for political parties and candidates comes into force with the formal announcement of elections.
Commission sources said the general conduct clause of the code also prohibits parties and candidates from indulging in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities religious or linguistic.
The code also lays down that criticism of other political parties when made shall be confined to their policies and programmes past record and work and parties and candidates shall refrain from criticizing all aspects of private life not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or on distortion should be avoided.
Commission sources said while the code of conduct for the party in power as WCH as the ban of payment of discretionary funds by ministers had already come into effect from April 2 the clauses relating to general conduct holding of election meetings taking out of processions as well as the rules to be observed during polling day would take effect from the time of announcement of elections.
The code also warns all parties and candidates to scrupulously avoid all activities which are corrupt practices and offences under the electoral law such as the bribing of voters their intimidation and personation and canvassing within 100 meters of a polling station holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the poll and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling stations.
The code used political parties and candidates to respect the right of every individual for a peaceful and undisturbed home life however much they resent his political opinions or activities. Organizing demonstrations or picketing before the houses of individuals by way of protesting against their opinion should not be resorted to under any circumstances.
Further no political party or candidate shall permit its followers to make use of any individual’s land building compound will without his permission for erecting flagstaffs suspending banners pasting notices or writing slogans
Political parties and candidates shall also ensure that their supporters do not create obstructions in or break up meetings and processions organised by other parties. Processions shall not be taken out by one party along places at which meetings are being held by another party and posters issued by one party shall not be removed by workers of another party.
The code also lays down elaborate procedures for holding of meetings and taking out of processions by political parties and candidates.
Regarding processions the code says organizers shall take steps in advance to arrange for passage of the procession without block or hindrance to traffic.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 19, 1991
