Congress favours Parliamentary panel on enforcement of model code

Echoing the sentiments expressed by a Parliamentary committee, Congress has favoured that the model code of conduct be enforced from the date of notification and not on the date of announcement of polls.

Party General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi has written to the Election Commission on the issue, stating that elections these days are held in multiple phases where enforcement period of the code invariably exceeds the period of six weeks resulting in paralysing of developmental works.

Dwivedi said the report is of a Parliamentary panel which has representation of virtually all political parties, therefore, it should have a wider acceptance.

He said if need be, the EC should convene a meeting of political parties on the issue.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Personnel in its 61st report on electoral reforms tabled in August, 2013 had recommended that the Model Code of Conduct be enforced from the date of notification and not from the date of announcement of polls.

The panel had said as elections these days are held in various phases where enforcement period of the code invariably exceeds six weeks, it results in paralysis of developmental works.