To ensure the stringent implementation of Model Code of Conduct, around 65,000 political advertisements have been taken off government property in Haryana. These political advertisements comprise of banners, posters, and wall paintings, etc.
Model Code of Conduct came into force on Saturday after the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora announced the schedule for assembly polls.
Chief Electoral Officer of Haryana, Anurag Aggarwal while speaking to the media, said: “65,146 wall writings, posters, papers cutouts or hoardings, banners, flags, and other such items have been removed from government property to prevent its defacement.” The step was taken within the 24 hours of the announcement of poll dates.
The official also said that all unauthorized political ads on private property will be taken up within the next 72 hours of the announcement.
Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana, Dr. Inder Jeet informed the public that new voters can register themselves up to September 24.
Important Dates for Haryana Polls-
- The detailed notification will be issued on September 27.
- Filing of nominations for will begin from September 27 to October 4.
- Scrutiny of applications will be done on October 5.
- Nominations withdrawal can be done till October 7.
- Haryana Polls for its 90 assembly seats will take place on October 21.
- Counting of votes will be done on October 24.
Details of Haryana Polls-
Haryana has a total of 1.82 crore registered voters. The five-year term of the Legislative Assembly of Haryana is set to expire on 2nd November.
What is the Model Code of Conduct?
It is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission (EC) to regulate the political campaigning and activities of parties during election season. It has no statutory backup. The guidelines have been framed with the consensus of ECI and political parties.
ECI framed the guidelines under the provisions of Article 324 power which gives them the authority for conducting free and fair elections. The code comes into effect as soon as the election dates are announced and stays in force until the process is concluded.
Things to look out for in Haryana elections-
The electoral battle for Haryana has been set on a high note with all major political parties kicking up the race. The BJP had already concluded its “Jan Aashirwaad yatra“.
Congress Party has been successful in retaining its stalwart Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the faction. Appointment of Kumari Selja can also be seen as a game-changer. Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee chief Kumari Selja posted a Twitter message asking for people’s suggestions.
Shiromani Akali Dal has also decided to jump into the race. The party announced that it will too contest the elections. Balwinder Bhunder will chair a committee that will chalk out a seat-sharing formula with its ally- Bhartiya Janta Party.
Indian National Lok Dal, one of the major players in the state suffered a setback when Haryana assembly Speaker Kanwar Pal disqualified its five legislators for the defection.
2014 Haryana assembly elections-
Haryana polls of 2014 took place on 15th October. The results came out on the 19th of October. BJP candidate Manohar Lal Khattar became the Chief Minister of the state as the saffron party secured an easy majority.
BJP had won 47 seats with 33.2 percent vote-share. Indian National Lok Dal came second with 19 seats and 24.1 percent vote share. Congress party could only manage to win 15 seats in total with 20.6 percent of vote share.
BJP is trying its best to repeat the win and come to power with an absolute majority.
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