Bhubaneswar: State Election Commission (SEC) Aditya Prasad Padhi has taken tough stand on implementation of Model Code of Conduct.
Accordingly he has directed officials in SEC to write to Collectors asking them to ensure strict enforcement of the model code of conduct for the upcoming rural and urban polls in Odisha.
In a letter to the Collectors, SEC Secretary R N Sahu cited that hoardings highlighting the achievements of Government with or without the photographs of politicians / Ministers are being displayed in different Government offices / public places in the District.
“Further, stickers of different Government schemes are being used in the vehicles of Government officers. Many of these also carry the photograph of politicians / Ministers. Both of these actions violate the Model Code of Conduct which is in force throughout the State (including Urban areas).”
The Commission has directed that all such hoardings and stickers be immediately removed and compliance be furnished with the SEC.
The three-tier panchayat elections in Odisha will be held in five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24. The results will be declared on February 26, 27 and 28.
While announcing the date of polling, the SEC, Mr.Padhi, had on Tuesday declared that the model code of conduct came into force immediately.
Meanwhile, official sources said that Padhi will hold a meeting with district collectors and superintendents of police at 10.30 am on January 15 in virtual mode on conducting the panchayat polls.
The elections will be held to elect 853 Zilla Parishad members, 6,794 Sarpanchs and 91,913 ward members.
Over 2.79 crore voters will be eligible to exercise their franchise