The chief electoral officer (CEO), Assam, Mukesh Chandra Sahu interacted with representatives of various political parties – AGP, AIUDF, BJP, BPF, CPI(M) and INC in a meeting held at Dispur on Tuesday.
The CEO while sharing the manual on model code of conduct informed about the model code of conduct modalities that candidates and parties need to follow during the election process.
The compendium of instructions on election expenditure monitoring was also shared with the political parties and the guidelines of the expenditure monitoring were explained.
The CEO also updated the political parties in details about the process of the nomination. Updated form of affidavit in form 26 was also shared with those present in the meeting.
The CEO informed the representatives to fill all columns in the form or may write ‘NIL’ or ‘not applicable’, if required.
When it comes to PAN, if allotted, the number has to be stated or otherwise ‘no PAN allotted’ will have to be written.
Information about pending criminal cases and convictions, if any, will have to be published as prescribed in newspaper and TV as per formats, copy of which was circulated.
Candidates will also have to inform their political parties about such cases. The duties of political parties in this regard were also informed.
The CEO, Assam stated that all electors who have been issued Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) can produce it for their identification at the polling station for casting their votes.
Those electors who are not able to produce the EPIC can produce any of the 11 alternative photo identity documents for establishing their identity which include passport; driving license; service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by central/ state government/ PSUs/ public limited companies; passbooks with photograph issued by bank/ post office; PAN card; smart card issued by Registrar General of India (RGI) under National Population Register (NPR); MGNREGA job card; health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour; pension document with photograph; official identity cards issued to MPs/ MLAs/ MLCs and Aadhaar Card.
The representatives were also informed about the manner and process of nominating star campaigner from recognized and unrecognized political parties.
The representatives of the political parties were requested to be in touch with the DEO and ROs at field level and with the CEO Offices.
Lastly, CEO Mukesh Sahu sought support and co-operation from all political parties for smooth conduct of the Lok Sabha Election – 2019. Various officials of the Election Department were also present in the meeting.