Decks cleared for EC to enforce model code of conduct

Decks cleared for EC to enforce model code of conduct
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, SEPT 18: Decks have been cleared for the Election Commission (EC) to enforce model code of conduct from the date of announcement of polls in the coming Assembly elections with three political parties from Tamil Nadu, which had expressed reservations over the proposal giving their consent to it, Commission sources said on Monday.

The sources said that this was made possible after Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill spoke to the leaders of these parties in the South.

They said that the CEC spoke to Murasoli Maran (DMK), Vaiko (MDMK) and S Ramadoss (PMK) who have agreed with the Commission's proposal to enforce the code from the date of announcement of the poll but felt that the gap between the announcement and the notification should be less than a month.

Similarly, leaders of Arunachal Congress and Mizo National Front also agreed to go along with other parties after Gill spoke to them, the sources said.

At an all-party meeting conveyed by the Commission on Saturday last, major political parties including all the national parties, had agreed on the enforcement of model code of conduct from the date of announcement of polls while parties from Tamil Nadu, where Assembly elections are due early next year, expressed certain reservations.

DMK, MDMK and PMK had earlier felt enforcement of the code from the date of announcement would hamper developmental activities in the state.