District Electoral Officer and Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar on Wednesday instructed stakeholders to strictly follow the Election Commission of India guidelines and stressed that any mass distribution of gifts, suspicious financial transactions, printing of objectionable material or unusual bulk purchases must be reported to the election authorities immediately.
In a meeting with the owners of marriage halls, lodges, printing shops and pawnshops at the Collectorate to enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the upcoming assembly elections, he said that the emphasis is on ensuring free, fair and transparent conduct of elections in the district.
Proprietors of marriage and meeting halls have been instructed to submit details of events held at their premises along with copies of invitations to the Assistant Returning Officer on a daily basis. In no case may the venue be released for distribution of gift items to voters.
The DEO said organizing social functions by political parties is strictly prohibited. If political meetings are to be held, permission should be granted only after verification of the required authorization letter obtained from the election officer, he said.
Any leaflets, posters or election advertisements printed by printer owners should clearly state the name and address of the printer. A copy of the poster or pamphlet should be submitted to the District Election Officer. Pawnbrokers have been instructed to maintain proper records which should be produced to the authorities on demand, the DEO added.
Published – 18 March 2026 20:59 IST
