New Delhi, 16 March (H.S.): The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued notifications Monday for April 9 assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, alongside bypolls in five seats across Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura, kickstarting nominations.

Chief secretaries and election officers received directives to instantly enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), binding even the central government for these regions. ECI mandated removal of electoral defacements from public/private property, bans on official vehicle misuse, government-funded ads, unauthorized home demonstrations infringing privacy, and unpermitted use of land/buildings/walls for flags/banners/posters.

A 1950 helpline and cVigil app enable complaints routed to district election officers or returning officers, with over 5,173 flying squads and 5,200 static surveillance teams ensuring 100-minute action. Political parties must notify police pre-rallies/processions for traffic/security, secure loudspeaker permissions, and ministers abstain from blending official duties with campaigning sans government machinery.

Officials face orders for impartial MCC enforcement, equitable party treatment, regulated events, law-order maintenance, and electoral integrity. Suvidha portal activates for online bookings of public venues/heliports.

ECI's March 15 schedule sets April 9 polls for Assam/Kerala/Puducherry, April 23 for Tamil Nadu/West Bengal phase 1 plus Gujarat/Maharashtra bypolls, April 29 for Bengal phase 2, and May 4 results.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar