Ranchi: In case of violation of Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission has warned the state BJP, Congress MLA Irfan Ansari and Steel Authority of India, Bokaro and asked them to follow the rules in letter and spirit.
BJP is accused of distributing more than 400 voter slips with slogans, photos, election symbols etc. instead of standard voter slips at polling stations during the fourth and fifth phase of voting in Jharkhand.
An FIR has also been registered regarding this. Regarding this, Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar has informed through a letter to BJP State Convener, Law Cell Sudhir Srivastava that as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India, voters have to give unauthorized identity cards on plain paper and there should be no inscription on it.
There should not be any special party symbol, candidate name or party name.
All party officials and workers have been informed about these guidelines and have been asked to ensure their compliance.
After investigation, MLA Irfan Ansari’s post on social media handle It has been said in the instructions that no party or candidate should indulge in any such activity which may spread hatred among themselves or create an atmosphere of tension between different castes and sects.
Also, people have been asked to avoid unconfirmed allegations and criticism.
At the same time, it has also been asked to avoid such appeals for votes, which give rise to caste or communal sentiments.
It has been clarified in the instructions that use of temples, mosques, churches and other religious places for election propaganda will be considered a violation of the model code of conduct.
On the other hand, Steel Authority of India, despite the guidelines of the Election Commission, had refused to give paid leave to the employees working in its Bokaro Steel Plant for voting in the sixth phase elections.
Taking cognizance of this, the Chief Electoral Officer directed the General Manager of Bokaro Steel Plant to give paid leave to the employees for voting under Section 135B of Public Representation.
Subsequently, the Bokaro Steel Plant management revised its order and announced to give paid leave to its employees on voting day, May 25.
It has also been said that the workers who go to vote in shifts will also get one day leave within two months.
It may be noted that the date of voting scheduled for the Lok Sabha general elections 2024 in the Lok Sabha constituencies located in Jharkhand has been declared a public holiday under the section of Negotiable Instruments Act 1881.