THE Election Commission cracked its whip on several occasions to ensure a level playing field for all parties in the five States where Assembly polls were held even as authorities seized freebies, drugs, cash and liquor worth over Rs 2,000 crore aimed at alluring voters. Elections were held in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana between November 7-November 30 and the counting of votes would take place on December 3. Acting on complaints and inputs by the local poll machinery, the EC issued show cause notices and advisories to top politicians to adhere to the provisions of the model code.

 

It withdrew permission given to the Telangana Government for disbursements of financial aid to farmers for rabi crops under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme after a State Minister violated the provisions of the model code by making a public announcement about it. The poll panel had given its nod to the State Government to disburse the rabi installment during the model code of conduct period on certain grounds.

 

It had also asked the Government not to carry out the proposed Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, its mega outreach programme on schemes and initiatives, in these five States till December 5. The Government had made it clear that the yatra will not cover poll-going States till the model code of conduct was in force. Recently, the Election Commission also sought an explanation from the Congress Government in Karnataka over advertisements publicising its achievements in newspapers in Telangana.