With the model code of conduct already in place, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has pulled down the posters and banners of all political parties across the city. The exercise began on Sunday after Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat clarified that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was already in force in Telangana, after the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government had dissolved the government prematurely.
Taking to Twitter, GHMC additional commissioner, Musharraf Faruqui said that they have been removing all posters, flags and hoarding as the MCC has been implemented.
#MCC
— Musharraf Faruqui (@musharraf_ias) October 7, 2018
Removing all banners/flags/hoardings soon immediately after implementation of Model Code of Conduct for upcoming #TelanganaElections #TeamGHMC is all set to conduct free & fair elections@arvindkumar_ias @CommissionrGHMC pic.twitter.com/AqLIZKFUC1
Addressing the media on Saturday, Rawat had said that the MCC was in place in all the five poll bound states—Telangana, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The Election Commission recently informed that the MCC would come into effect immediately after the premature dissolution of the state Legislative Assembly, which would deprive the caretaker government of all powers to make policy decisions.
This decision has caused a set back to the TRS party, which intended to distribute sarees to the poor on occasion of Bathukamma festival, an annual programme taken up by the state government.
Under the MCC, political parties shall obtain permission from the police before organising a public meeting or taking a procession. They shall also refrain from corrupt practices like bribing voters. Places of worship like mosques, churches or temples shall not be used as a forum for election propaganda.
This code has already been violated by two TRS leaders. Caretaker Minister for Transport Mahender Reddy was caught on camera at a mosque, where a group of Muslims were seen vowing to vote for him. In another, similar incident, Armoor MLA A Jeevan Reddy was caught performing the same act at a Ganesh pandal. However, the Election Commission is yet to take action against them.
A case against Yellareddy MLA E Ravinder Reddy has been filed by the District Returning Officer in Kamareddy, after he promised a bribe of Rs 5 lakh, if the voters elected him unanimously.
Telangana will go to the polls on December 7, and the results will be declared four days after elections, on December 11.