Officials may consider easing model code on state’s request after polling

PUNE: With polling complete in 31 parliamentary constituencies and the remaining 17 seats going to the polls on April 29 in the state, sources from election department told TOI that if a proposal is moved by the state government to relax the model code of conduct, it may be considered.


Any such move will be taken after deliberation and with certain restrictions, they added.

Restrictions on the polling parties as well as announcement of new schemes/projects and also grant of new relief after the announcement of elections "We have to also wait for what steps the other states take,'' election officials said.

They were referring to the states that have completed the elections. Meanwhile, senior revenue officials told TOI that with the

Lok Sabha

elections stretching till May 19, the relaxation of rules will come with some curbs.

“In the period of model code of conduct no new government scheme is to be announced or no foundation stone laying ceremony can be conducted. This delays the entire process of infrastructural work,’’ the officials added.

Election officials have yet to issue a statement on "relaxation of rules under MCC" so that infrastructural work can start. The state government has to submit a request to ease the rules with certain restrictions. Maharashtra’s four phase elections that began on April 11 will be over on April 29. Counting will began after almost a month.

Many infrastructural projects have been held up as they are waiting for tenders to be floated so that work can begin. A relaxation in the model code of conduct rules would benefit the overall slow pace of work.

‘Work of Metro, ring road or even water schemes and several highways are pending. This can been speeded up if the rules are relaxed,’’ an official said.

After three phases of polling, phase IV of the elections on April 29 will cover nine states and 71 seats, phase V on May 6 will cover seven states and 51 seats, phase VI on May 12 covers seven states and 59 seats and the last phase on May 19 will cover eight states and 59 seats. The counting process for the entire country is on May 23.