PANAJI: The Model Code of Conduct has come into effect from September 20, after announcement of the schedule for the by-elections to the 19-Valpoi Assembly Constituency.

The Model Code of Conduct prohibits ad-hoc appointments in government, public undertakings etc, which may have the effect of influencing voters in favour of the party in power.

If any recruitment or ad-hoc appointment is absolutely necessary and cannot wait for the completion of elections, authorities should refer each specific case with full details to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), office for its consideration and prior appropriate orders.

The Election Commission of India, New Delhi, has also imposed ban on the transfer of all officers/officials, especially those connected with the conduct of elections. Similarly the Model Code of Conduct prohibits government departments or authorities not to announce any financial grants in any form or make promise to that effect or lay foundation stones of project or schemes
of any kind.

However the work which has already been started may be continued. No fresh work shall be started till the completion of the elections and tenders are not to be finalised during the period of elections. No fresh release of funds under the MPLAD Funds shall be made till the completion of the election process.

The CEO, in order to ensure a clean and fair by-election has issued directions on defacement on property.

There is ban on putting up of hoarding, posters, banners, wall paintings, cut-outs, etc. relating to elections in respect of locations in the state, which licenses have not been issued till date by the municipalities and panchayats.

Violation of this ban shall invite penal action under Section 3 of the Goa Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1988, which is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to ` 1,000 or with both. Offences under the Act
are cognisable.

It may be noted that the prohibitions on defacement of public and private property also applies to cut-outs, hoardings, wall paintings, banners and buntings.

All political parties, contesting candidates, other concerned and the general public are advised to take note of these provisions.

The Commission has also directed that there shall be an absolute ban on the use of official vehicles for campaigning or election related travel during elections. There shall be a total prohibition on the use of any vehicle, such as cars, jeeps, in automobile boat, hovercraft etc belonging to central government, state government, public undertakings of the central and state government, joint sector undertaking central and state government, local bodies, marketing boards, co-operative societies, autonomous district councils or any other body in which public funds, however, portion of the total are invested for any purpose connected with the elections, on any other political party, candidate or any other person connected with election.

The Commission has also directed that cars/vehicles shall, under no circumstances be allowed to move in convoys of more than three vehicles. All bigger convoys shall be broken up, even if they are carrying any minister of central or state government or any other person.

The Commission had directed that from the date of announcement of elections till the competition of election, the district administration shall keep a close watch on the use of all the above mentioned vehicles, to see whether any such vehicles is being misused f
or electioneering.

Further during the election campaign, no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.

Further, criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of
the parties.

Religious places like temple, mosque, church, gurudwara or other places of worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda. Further, there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes.