“No voter to be left behind”

the state government authorities to grant permission for holding

his public meetings etc. As the said State Minister did not submit
his apology, ban on his public meetings, etc. continued during the
entire remaining period of that general election.
(iv) In the same general election, a leader and candidate of Jharkhand
Vikas Morcha was issued warning for breach of Model Code as he
had made a written appeal to all churches in Dumka in Jharkhand
for support in that election.
(v) Likewise, during general election to Legislative Assembly of Bihar
in 2015, then President of Janata Dal (U) and a star campaigner
of BJP were cautioned for violation of provisions of Model Code
during election campaigning.
(vi) During general election to Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in
2017, a sitting MP belonging to BJP was found to be making
certain statements to the effect of promoting enmity between
different classes of society on the ground of religion and the
Election Commission censured him.
4.3.3 In 2017, the Election Commission in a circular letter to all recognized
political parties maintained that it will not remain silent spectator
and will take stern action for any violation under the available powers
(Annexure- IV). The Election Commission has issued directions to the
State governments to keep thorough watch on meetings of the political
parties and get video-graphed the same to see whether ‘caste’ is being
used for political/electoral purpose. The Election Commission has also
issued instructions to track campaigns of star campaigners of the political
parties under the provision of Section 77(1) of the Representation of the
People’s Act, 1951.

4.4 DOs & DON’Ts for Electioneering to be Followed by Political Parties

and Candidates
4.4.1 The Election Commission has drawn up a list of ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’
to be followed by political parties and contesting candidates after the
announcement of elections and till the completion of the process of
elections. The Election Commission has directed that this be given

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the widest possible publicity in the official language of the State and
its contents brought to the knowledge of all candidates and political
parties. (Annexure V)
4.4.2 It must be made clear to the political parties that the list of Dos’ and Dont’s
is only illustrative (not exhaustive) and is not intended to substitute or
modify other detailed directions/instructions on the concerned subjects,
and must be strictly observed and followed.
(A) DOs
(i) To ensure a level playing field, public places like maidans and
helipads must be available impartially to all parties/contesting
candidates.
(ii) During elections, criticism of other political parties and candidates
should be restricted only to their policies, programs, past records
and works.
(iii) The right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbed home
life should be fully safeguarded.
(iv) The local police authorities should be fully informed and necessary
permission be taken well in time, of the venue and time of the
proposed meetings.
(v) Restrictive or prohibitory orders in force, if any, in the place of
the proposed meeting, shall be fully respected. Exemption, if
necessary, must be applied for and obtained, well in time.
(vi) Permission must be obtained for use of loudspeakers or any other
such facilities for the proposed meetings.
(vii) Police assistance should be obtained in dealing with persons
disturbing meetings or creating disorder.
(viii) The time and place of the starting and termination of any procession
and the route to be followed should be finalized in advance and
prior permissions obtained from the police authorities.
(ix) Traffic regulations and restrictive orders, in force of the localities,
enroute of the procession should be ascertained and fully complied

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with.
(x) The passage of the procession must be without hindrance to
traffic.
(xi) Cooperation should be extended to all election officials to ensure
peaceful and orderly poll.
(xii) All political workers engaged in electioneering must display
badges or identity cards.
(xiii) Unofficial identity slips issued to voters shall be on the plain
(white) paper and not contain any symbol and name of the party
or name of the candidate.
(xiv) Restrictions on plying of vehicles during the campaign period and
on poll day shall be fully obeyed.
(xv) Any complaint or problem regarding the conduct of elections shall
be brought to the notice of the Election Commission’s Observer/
Returning Officer/Zonal/Sector Magistrate/Chief Electoral
Officer/Election Commission of India.
(xvi) Directions/orders/instructions of the Election Commission/
Returning Officer/District Election Officer, in all matters related
to various aspects of elections, shall be strictly complied with.
(xvii) Do leave the constituency after the campaign period is over if you
are not a voter or a candidate or candidate’s election agent from
that constituency.
(xviii) The political parties should ensure that no payment in excess of
Rs. 10,000 is made in cash, in a day, to any person/company/
entity, except where
(a) the payment is made in a village or town, which is not
served by a bank;
(b) the payment is made to any employee or party functionary
towards salary, pension or for reimbursement of his
expenses;
(c) cash payment is required under any statute.
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(B) DON’Ts
(i) No official work should be mixed with campaigning/electioneering.
No inducement, financial or otherwise, shall be offered to the
voter.
(ii) No appeal on basis of caste/communal feelings of the electors.
(iii) No activity, which may aggravate existing differences or create
mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes/
communities/ religious/linguistic groups, shall be attempted.
(iv) No aspect of the private life, not connected with the public
activities, of the leaders or workers of other parties shall be
criticized.
(v) No criticism of other parties or their workers on basis of unverified
allegations or on distortions.
(vi) No use of temples/mosques/churches/gurudwaras or any place
of worship for election propaganda, including speeches, posters,
music etc., or electioneering.
(vii) Activities, which are corrupt practices or electoral offences such
as bribery, undue influence, intimidation of voters, personation,
canvassing within 100 meters of a polling station, holding of
public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the
hour fixed for the close of the poll and conveyance of voters to
and from polling stations, are prohibited.
(viii) Demonstrations or picketing before house of any individual, by
way of protesting against their opinion or activities shall not be
resorted to.
(ix) In order to maintain purity of elections and bring transparency
in process of elections, political parties are advised to avoid
transactions in cash and instruct their office bearers, official,
agents and candidates not to carry huge amount of cash during
elections.
(x) No disturbances shall be created in public meetings or processions
organized by other political parties or candidates.

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(xi) No processions along places where another party is holding

meetings.
(xii) Processionists shall not carry any articles, which are capable of
being misused as missiles or weapons.
(xiii) Posters issued by other parties and candidates shall not be removed
or defaced.
(xiv) Posters, flags, symbols or any other propaganda material shall
not be displayed in the place being used on the day of poll for
distribution of identity slips or near polling booths.
(xv) No use of loudspeakers whether static or mounted on moving
vehicles, between 10.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m.
(xvi) No use of loudspeakers at public meetings and processions without
prior written permission of the authorities concerned. Normally,
such meetings/processions will not be allowed to continue beyond
10.00 p.m. in the night and will be further subject to the local
laws, local perceptions of the security arrangements of the area
and other relevant considerations like weather conditions, festival
season, examination period, etc.
(xvii) No liquor should be distributed during elections.
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