Ensure code of conduct for UP by-polls: Poll panel to officials

The Election Commission has directed the district officials to ensure complete adherence to model of conduct in places where assembly and parliamentary by-polls will take place, officials said Friday.

Notification has been issued for by-polls Sep 13 in Mainpuri parliamentary constituency and Saharanpur, Bijnore, Thakurdwara, Noida, Lucknow (east), Nighasan, Hamirpur, Charkhari, Sirathu, Balha and Rohaniya state assembly constituencies, the officials said.

In the directives issued to the district officials, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Umesh Sinha has warned that any laxity against the code will invite strict action. The poll panel, however, has clarified that government activities related to flood relief and agriculture would be out of the ambit of the code.

The poll panel official said the code of conduct will be applicable only in election-bound constituencies and not to the entire district.

The polls are crucial for both the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party. While the SP is making attempts to bounce back after its rout in the general election, the BJP wants to win all the seats.

The Bahujan Samaj Party has opted out of the election race. The Congress is in disarray after the general election debacle and is yet to finalise its candidates for the by-polls.