Election Commission applies poll code rules to retired government officials

Retired government workers and other people hired by state or union territory governments must now follow the same election rules as active government staff. The Election Commission of India announced that the Model Code of Conduct restrictions apply directly to these retired individuals.

States Involved

The commission sent an official letter to the top administrative officers and chief electoral officers across five states. These states include Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. All five of these regions are scheduled to hold elections early next year.

Rules To Follow

Under these guidelines, every retired official engaged by the government must stay politically neutral. They are strictly prohibited from taking part in any election campaigns or doing any form of political canvassing.

Context

The Model Code of Conduct is a set of rules issued by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections, preventing those in power from misusing official machinery. Extending these restrictions helps maintain a level playing field during poll seasons by keeping hired former officials from using their influence for political campaigns.