With the announcement of municipal elections in Himachal Pradesh, model code of conduct has been imposed in the urban areas of the entire state. As soon as its implementation, many types of restrictions have become effective on the functioning of the government and administration. Now till the completion of the election process, the government and administration will have to work only as per the prescribed rules. Along with this, ministers, MLAs, advisors, chairman and vice chairman of boards and corporations etc. will not be able to use government vehicles in election campaign. The state government will not be able to announce any new scheme or project or lay the foundation stone or inaugurate any scheme in urban areas. Major administrative decisions like populist decisions at government expense, advertisements for new recruitments, transfer-posting etc. will not be taken without the permission of the Election Commission. The government will not be able to declare financial benefits or grants that influence the elections. The code of conduct will remain in force in Nagar Panchayat and Municipal Council till May 19 and in Municipal Corporation till May 31. The State Election Commission has instructed all District Election Officers and DCs to strictly follow the code of conduct. Government buildings will not be used for election campaigning. Officers and employees have been instructed not to work in favor of any party or candidate, so that the elections can be conducted without discrimination and in a fair manner. What will the government have to do? After the code of conduct, all government departments will have to work neutrally. The instructions of the Election Commission will have to be strictly followed. The currently ongoing schemes may continue, but there will be no new promotions or expansion. Similarly, advertisements for new recruitments will also not be issued until the code of conduct is lifted. Along with the candidates and parties contesting the municipal elections, the government will also be under the purview of the code of conduct. It is a matter of relief that the code of conduct is not yet implemented in rural areas. But with the announcement of Panchayat elections, the code of conduct will be implemented in rural areas also.
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