By IANS,
Kolkata : Some guidelines set by the Election Commission for parties and candidates:
– No party or candidate shall include in any activity during elections which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred, cause tension between castes and communities.
– Parties and candidates should refrain from character assassination or criticism of all aspects of private life which are not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of any particular political party.
– There should be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes.
– All parties and candidates should avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law – such as bribing of voters, intimidation, impersonation and canvassing within 100 metres of polling stations.
– Organising demonstrations or picketing before the houses of individuals by way of protesting against their opinions or activities shall not be resorted to under any circumstances.
— No party worker can use any property of an individual without taking permission from the person concerned to erect party flags, suspending banners, pasting notices, writing slogans and poll graffiti, etc.
— Political parties and candidates should ensure that their supporters do not create obstructions in or break up meetings and processions organised by other parties.
— A party or candidate organising a procession shall decide beforehand the time and place of the starting of the procession, the route to be followed and the time and place at which the procession will terminate.
— The party or candidate shall inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any proposed meeting.
— Carrying effigies purporting to represent members of other political parties or their leaders, burning such effigies in public and such other forms of demonstration shall not be countenanced by any political party or candidate.
— Ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work or make use of official machinery or personnel during their canvassing.
— Government transport like official aircraft, vehicles, machinery shall not be used for furtherance of the interest of the party in power.