Within hours of the Election Commission announcing the Assembly election schedule, complaints of alleged violations of model code of conduct have been received by it in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, a senior official said here.
“Three complaints of violation of model code of conduct have come so far,” Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said in his first press conference in Chennai after the Commission announced the schedule.
While he did not specify the nature of all complaints, he said that one of them pertained to distribution of tokens for availing of benefit under a government scheme in Tuticorin.
The CEO, however, did not elaborate.
Announcing the schedule for Assembly elections in four States and Puducherry, the EC earlier in the day said Tamil Nadu will have a single-phase polling on May 16, 2016.
Mr. Lakhoni said that since the model code of conduct has come into effect, the EC has set in motion various related works including setting up of check posts.
Out of the proposed 1,400-odd check posts, 702 have come into operation on Friday, he said adding select number of flying squads, comprising police and revenue officials, had also been pressed into service.
Responding to traders taking exception to seizure of their cash during Lok Sabha polls in 2014, Mr. Lakhoni said proper documents should be taken while carrying money. Any amounts of cash meant for political activity “will be checked”.
Further, the EC has introduced an appeal mechanism this time to make things easier for (traders), he added.
Henceforth, all campaign activities of political parties should be undertaken only after EC approval, which can be done online, the CEO said.
As regards government schemes and projects, no new initiatives can be announced while commenced ones can be carried forward, he said.
In the case of distribution of financial assistance to the victims of the December 2015 floods, he said the EC had already made it clear that its approval should be sort for it.
Over 3 lakh staff and personnel will be involved in the electoral exercise. Counting of votes will be on May 19.
