Highest number of MCC violations from JK

Srinagar, Apr 8: The highest number of violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been reported from Jammu and Kashmir since the code came into effect last month in view of the Lok Sabha elections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) implemented MCC on March 11, when dates for the elections were announced. Till now 112 cases of violation of the Code across India have come before the commission.

In J&K, which recorded the highest number of such cases, the violations majorly included government employees participating in election rallies, transfers in administration, and cash-for-votes, wherein people were paid to cast their votes in favour of a particular candidate.

Most of these violations have been reported from Jammu where ECI noted 19 cases while the rest were reported from Kashmir.

In Bandipora district, the poll body has received a complaint about a National Conference worker giving money to the voters.

The Commission has received several complaints wherein both low and middle-rung officials were directly involved in election campaigns.

For instance, as per the official document of the violations, a complainant, Advocate Muzaffar Nabi Lone from Budgam has informed the commission that Muzaffar Ahmad, a medico at Chadoora Hospital has been actively participating in the campaigning for a particular party.

In Srinagar, the ECI received a complaint regarding transfer of the employees in Public Works department even after MCC was implemented in the state.

Complaints were also registered in the ECI against scores of government officials in Jammu after they were found campaigning for a particular party.

Subhash Chander, the Training Officer in department of handicrafts, has been accused of involvement in the political activities of a particular political party.

In Rajouri, at least three MCC violations have been reported against Ghulam Ali (Naib Tehsildar Budhal Tehsil), Mohammad Arief (VLW posted in BDO office Mahore) and Mohammad Yusuf (Naib Tehsildar Mahore) for violating the MCC.

The ECI has noted a complaint against a particular political party for non-removal of a hoarding at Kathua.

In the last one month, J&K Chief Electoral Officer, Shailendra Kumar has placed under suspension at least 37 government employees for violating MCC. 

Reports on Monday said that at least 11 employees, nine of them from education department, were suspended for violating ECI guidelines and hampering election process in frontier district of Kupwara district in north Kashmir. 

District Election Officer, Kupwara, Anshul Garg on Sunday ordered the suspension of three teachers including the district president EJAC after they were found participating in political rallies of Peoples Conference (PC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Official data shows that eight FIRs have been filed in the state against election-related violations.

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