The Election Commission (EC) has permitted district in-charge Ministers in poll-bound districts to hoist the tricolour on Independence Day on Thursday.
Following enforcement of election model code of conduct in nine districts which goes to byelections to two Lok Sabha constituencies and three Legislative Council seats, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) sought clarity on the issue from the EC.
The model code of conduct has been enforced in Bangalore Rural, Ramanagaram, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Tumkur, Dharwad, Chitradurga and Davangere districts.
While bypolls to Bangalore Rural and Mandya constituencies will be held on August 21, bypolls to Legislative Council seats are on August 22.
No political speeches
CEO Anil Kumar Jha told The Hindu that district in-charge Ministers have been permitted to hoist the national flag during Independence Day celebrations on Thursday. However, they should refrain from making political speeches and announcing sops to the electorate, he said.
In Bangalore
In Bangalore, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hoist the tricolour at the Manekshaw Parade Grounds, but his speech will be closely monitored by the EC.
Officials are generally permitted to hoist the tricolour whenever the general elections are announced and the code of conduct is in place.
