The North News
New Delhi, October 8
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a comprehensive order to the Chief Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, directing strict compliance with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) following the announcement of the Bihar Assembly elections.
The order includes the removal of political defacement from government, public, and private properties, and a ban on the misuse of official vehicles, government accommodation, and public funds for electioneering purposes. The ECI said these measures are essential to maintain neutrality and ensure a level playing field for all political parties.
The Commission emphasized that no minister or public official should combine official duties with campaign activities or use state machinery for political gain. The MCC, which has come into immediate effect, will also apply to the Central Government in relation to announcements or policy decisions affecting Bihar.
To ensure effective monitoring, the ECI has launched a 24×7 complaint system, including a call centre (1950) and the C-Vigil mobile app on ECINET, enabling citizens and political parties to report violations directly to the District Election Officer (DEO) or Returning Officer (RO). Each complaint, the Commission said, must be addressed within 100 minutes.
The ECI has also deployed 824 flying squads across the state to respond swiftly to violations. Authorities have been instructed to respect citizens’ privacy, prohibit demonstrations outside private residences, and ensure that flags, banners, or posters are not displayed on private property without consent.
Public spaces such as maidans and helipads will be made equally available to all political parties on a first-come, first-served basis through the SUVIDHA module on ECINET. The Commission has also banned the transfer of officers involved in election duties to preserve impartiality.
Officials have been directed to act neutrally in regulating meetings, rallies, and polling arrangements, while maintaining law and order and upholding the credibility of the electoral process.
The ECI said these directives are part of its ongoing effort to guarantee a free, fair, and transparent election in Bihar, free from misuse of public resources and undue political influence.
