Model code of conduct comes in force from today

New Delhi, Mar 10: The Election Commission on Sunday imposed 'model code of conduct’ with immediate effect for the Lok Sabha elections and announced that 'voter verifiable paper audit trail’ will be used in all polling stations this time.

Among other things, the model code of conduct bars the government from announcing any policy move that may impact voters’ decision. Announcing the seven-phase schedule for 2019 Lok Sabha polls beginning April 11, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora also said 10 lakhs polling stations would be set up this time as against about nine lakhs in 2014.

He said model code of conduct for polls has come into immediate effect from Sunday and all political advertisements on social media will need pre-certification. The EC said 91 constituencies will go for polls in first phase on April 11, followed by 97 constituencies in second phase on April 18.

In 2014, the Lok Sabha elections were held across nine phases, beginning on April 7 and ending on May 9. The counting of votes took place on May 16. The total contestants in fray were 8,251, with an average of 15 candidates in each constituency. However, deposit was forfeited in case of 7,000 contestants.

A total of over 55 crore voters (66.3 per cent) exercised their vote, while there were 9.27 lakh polling stations. There were nearly 60 lakh 'NOTA’ votes. Out of total 543 elected candidates, only 62 were women from 668 who had contested.

PTI