Election Commission emphasizes on proper implementation of MCC to ensure free, fair & safe election in Assam

March 14: With the announcement of the polling dates by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on February 26, 2021, the Model of Conduct (MCC) has come into force in five states, including Assam.

An anti-defacement drive has been launched in Assam for removing banners. hoardings and graffiti to enforce provisions of the MCC in order to ensure free and fair polls in Assam.

Since the commencement of MCC in Assam, arrangements have been done to remove banners and hoardings from government, public and private properties within 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively. In this regard, over 2,08,168 defacements have been done so far since February 26. These include removal of 75,878 hoarding/ banners, 1,12,426 posters and whitewashing of 19,864 walls.

A system for monitoring of complaints has been set wherein citizens can call on the Toll Free Helpline number—I950— that is operational across the State. A team at stale level and district level has been constituted to monitor all calls 24/7. Swift actions are taken depending on the nature of the complaint received through this system.

In order to empower and encourage the citizens to report on any MCC violations, ECI has introduced a user-friendly application called eVigil. The uniqueness of the app is that it only allows live photo/ video with auto-location capture to ensure digital evidence for flying squads to act upon in a time-bound manner. The app can be downloaded from Google Play Store. For further details about the use of this app, a tutorial video in both English and Assamese are available in the official website of CEO. Assam – http://ceoassam.nic,in/voter_helpline.html

Till now, over 360 MCC grievances have been registered so far through cVigil app. Besides. 162 cases of MCC violation have been reported through complaints received from 50 election districts. Arrangements have been done for detail examination of these complaints as well as early disposal of these cases.

Election Department has also conducted meeting with all the concerned political parties/ candidates/ agents etc. to sensitize them about the MCC guidelines after the declaration of MCC in the state. Media teams have been constituted in the state level and across all districts to monitor – digital, social and traditional media platforms. These teams have been set up as to ensure fast and effective media monitoring. Two comprehensive handbooks namely Manual on Model Code and Compendium of Instructions on Election Expenditure Monitoring have been compiled and translated into Assamese and made available in the website of CEO Assam http://www.ceoassam.nic.in for better accessibility and understanding of the general public.