The Aryavarth Express
Agency(West Bengal): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has advised West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose against his planned visit to Cooch Behar on April 18 and 19, highlighting it as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. This intervention comes as the region prepares for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19, with a mandated silence period beginning the evening of April 17.
The ECI’s decision is based on concerns that the governor’s visit could distract local administrative and security forces, who are fully engaged in election preparations. “Under Model Code of Conduct and being poll day, no local program can be organised for Honorable Governor, as proposed in his issued programme,” stated the ECI in its communication to the governor’s office.
The Model Code of Conduct, which governs the conduct of all parties and candidates in the run-up to elections, was enforced starting last Saturday following the announcement of the election schedule by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The Code aims to ensure a fair and orderly electoral process and prohibits ministers from combining official visits with electioneering activities.
Furthermore, the ECI has instructed all district election officers and police chiefs to enforce the “silence period” rules strictly. This includes the directive that all high-profile persons, campaigners, and political workers, who are not voters in the specific election area, must leave the area at the start of the silence period.
Polling for the 543 Lok Sabha seats is scheduled to occur in seven phases, with the first phase encompassing 102 seats. The results will be declared on June 4. The ongoing strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct underscores the ECI’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.