State Election Commissioner P.Kamalkutty has directed the district election observers to ensure that the model code of conduct is strictly enforced in the State.
Chairing a meeting of the IAS officers deputed as district election observers here on Tuesday, Mr.Kamalkutty said that on detecting any violation of the model code, the observers should inform the District Collector who is the district electoral officer or the State Election Commissioner.
Campaign boards and posters should be put up only according to the stipulations of the model code. The commissioner has already asked the District Collectors to remove flex and plastic boards. The observers should also be watchful about the use of plastic and flex boards, he said.
The expenses incurred for removing campaign materials put up in violation of the code should be included in the election expenditure of the candidates.
The observers should make sure that government employees are not participating in the campaigning. On detecting such cases, it should be reported to the commissioner. Candidates can solicit votes in government offices without disturbing the functioning of the offices.
The observers should make their first visit to the districts on October 7, the last date for withdrawing nomination papers. They should inform the details of their camp office through the media.
The commissioner said that political parties and the public can file election complaints with the observers. Symbols for various parties will be allotted on October 7, the commissioner said.
