Model Code of Conduct comes into force in West Bengal

As per the model code of conduct, the parties will have to submit a probable list of expenses incurred for holding a rally and should keep away from personal attacks and communally provocative speeches during election campaign, a senior officer of the state Election department said here.

"The parties will have to provide a tentative list of expenses incurred for holding a rally and that would reflect in the account of the candidate of the respective Assembly Constituency, else permission for holding the rally will be denied," the officer said.

Urging political parties and the candidates to follow the model code of conduct, the official said, "The political parties and candidates should keep away from any kind of personal attack or communal provocation during poll campaign."

"The Election Commission will monitor the speeches made during the polls and has decided to make video recording of all the meetings and if found that the candidate or the party has flouted model code of conduct, necessary action will be taken," the officer said.

As a part of model code of conduct, no government land, poles, roads and walls can be defaced and if it is already written then the political parties will have to clean the wall at their own cost.

"In case of wall writing on private walls, the candidate should provide written permission of the owner of the property to the concerned election officer within three days," the officer said.

When asked if the candidate doesn't clean the wall, the officer said, "The commission with the help of MCC squad will clean the wall the cost of the cleaning will be incorporated in the balance sheet of the candidate."