Election Commission Extends Restrictions on Retired Government Officials During Election Periods

Amid complaints of misuse of official position by some, the Election Commission has extended restrictions and prohibitions applicable to serving government employees under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) to retired officials and individuals engaged, employed or re-employed by state governments during this period. A senior official said there have been complaints in the past that retired government employees engaged by states in various capacities have been convening meetings of officials involved in election work during the poll code period. In a letter addressed to the chief secretaries and chief electoral officers of poll-bound Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on November 9, the commission said such individuals must maintain political neutrality and refrain from participating in election campaigns or canvassing. The poll authority also directed that these individuals must not summon any election-related officer of a constituency or district where elections have been announced for official discussions or meetings. They are also barred from holding video conferences or meetings with such officers. The commission cautioned that any act or omission in violation of these directions would be viewed seriously and instructed the states to ensure strict compliance. In effect, such re-employed people cannot use their names, official positions or authority to favour any political party or individual. They also cannot participate in election campaigning or canvassing. Such individuals cannot summon election officials or hold official meetings/video conferences with them in constituencies or districts where elections have been announced. The EC also reiterated that MCC provisions apply to organisations, committees, corporations and commissions funded wholly or partly by the government.