TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Model Code of Conduct has restricted all the personal staff attached to various ministers including Chief Minister from accompanying them during their private tour.
Election Commission of India (ECI) in its fresh guidelines has stated that during the code period, one member of personal staff of only the chief minister can be allowed to accompany them on personal/private tour.
However, such personal staff shall not take part in any political activity or assist the Chief Minister in his political work, ECI added.
The decision seems to have been taken after it was observed that several ministers were accompanied by their personal staff on tour during the campaign.
Meanwhile, in a bid to keep a track on gigantic spending by candidates during the forthcoming State Legislative Assembly election, the ECI has directed all party candidates to appoint an additional agent, who would assist them in various expenditure-related matters.
The candidates already have separate election agents, who perform several duties on their (candidates) behalf.
ECI has stated that as per suggestion from the parties at the meeting held in March 2011, the decision has been taken to appoint an additional agent.
“It has to be noted that such additional agents would be for the purpose of performing only the non-statutory duties related to the expenditure monitoring matters. The statutory duties would be taken care of by election agent,” the Commission said.
The Central Election Commission in the past has already made it mandatory of opening up of a special bank account for candidates, wherein withdrawal of cash of more than Rs 1 lakh will be monitored.
