Theme: Elections

Social Media Advertisements

The MCC applies to all social media platforms. There are five categories of social media that are regulated under the MCC1:

  • Collaborative projects (like Wikipedia).
  • Blogs and microblogs (like Twitter).
  • Content communities (like YouTube).
  • Social networking sites (like Facebook).
  • Virtual Game worlds like (Gaming applications).

There are some rules that have to be followed by political parties and candidates while advertising through social media, such as:

Giving Information

Candidates are supposed to fill Form 26 at the time of filing nominations. The form includes details of the candidate such as email ID, social media accounts etc. This is done so that the candidate declares all the authentic social media accounts that he/she has.2

Pre-certification of advertisements

All social media advertisements have to be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee3 set up in district and state levels. It is only after this committee looks into the advertisement that the advertisement can be published online on any social media forum.

Expenditure

All candidates and political parties have to include the expenditure on social media advertisements. Specifically, they need to make a note of expenditure regarding creative development of content, operational expenditure on salaries and wages, and campaign related expenses.

  1. Instructions of the Commission with respect to use of Social Media in Election Campaigning, Letter of ECI dated 25th October, 2013, Page 88, https://observerseci.eci.nic.in/Instruction/MediaPaid%20News%20Compendium%202017.pdf [↩]
  2. Form 26 Amendments, Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9365-amendments-in-form-26-format-of-affidavit-to-be-filed-by-candidates/ [↩]
  3. Reconstitution of Media Certification & Monitoring Committee , Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9356-reconstitution-of-media-certification-monitoring-committee-%E2%80%93-regarding/ [↩]

Can you vote without a Voting Card?

You may vote without a voting card. You can carry any of the following documents to the polling station to cast your vote1:

  • Voter ID Card/EPIC
  • Aadhar Card
  • MNREGA Job Card
  • Passbook issued by Bank/Post Office with Photo
  • Driving license
  • Service Identity Cards (issued to employees by Central or State Government/PSUs/Public Limited Company)
  • PAN Card
  • Passport
  • Pension Document (with photo)
  • Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR
  • Health Insurance Smart Card (issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour)
  • Official Identity Cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
Voter ID Documents

 

  1. Photo voter slips not to be valid as stand-alone identification document for voting, Election Commission available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9367-photo-voter-slips-not-to-be-valid-as-stand-alone-identification-document-for-voting/ [↩]

Advertisement on Television

Television broadcasts on elections must be on general events which are relevant and of common interest to the country, without supporting or criticizing and mocking any other candidate or political party. Then it is not a violation of the MCC. Some examples are1:

  • If there is a live telecast of a cricket match, advertisements showing pictures of politicians cannot be played in between.
  • A political party cannot put up pictures of political leaders while telecasting a live coverage of a conference.
  • A political party cannot screen a movie before the elections regarding the life of a politician as it would influence the viewers to vote for them.

To prevent any form of political advertising, TV Channels and Cable Networks by any registered political party, group, organization, association and individual candidate, have to be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) set up in district and state levels. If the MCMC finds that any advertisement has been made in TV or Cable Network in favour of any candidate without proper permission, they shall inform the Returning Officer (RO) immediately. The RO will then send a notice to the candidate and take action.

  1. Chapter 6, Manual on Model Code of Conduct, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct/ [↩]

What is a Voting Machine?

An Electronic Voting Machine1 consists of two Units – a Control Unit and a Balloting Unit – joined by a five-meter cable. The Control Unit is kept with the Presiding Officer or a Polling Officer and the Balloting Unit is placed inside the voting compartment, where you vote. The Presiding Officer or the Polling Officer releases the ballot for you so that you can cast your vote.

A list of candidates’ names and symbols will be available with a blue button next to it. You have to press the button next to the name of the candidate’s name that you wish to vote for. If you do not wish to vote for any particular candidate, then you have the option to select the NOTA – None of the Above option in the EVM Machine.

Right after you have voted, you will see a green light on the VVPAT Machine will be placed next to the EVM Machine, which will indicate that you have voted. You will also see a printed slip which is printed containing the serial number, name and symbol of the candidate which you can see through a transparent window for 7 seconds. This printed slip automatically gets cut and falls in the sealed drop box of the VVPAT.

You cannot vote more than once and even if you make a mistake, you cannot undo it. Even if your name comes twice in the electoral roll or your name comes in two different constituencies electoral rolls, you can only vote once. If you vote twice, then both your votes are not counted.

There is nothing you have to do after all this is over. Once you exit the polling station, you have completed the voting process.

  1. Section 61A, The Representation of People Act, 1951; Electronic Voting Machines, Election Commission available at https://eci.gov.in/evm/ [↩]

Advertisement on Radio

Radios are also a medium for advertising by political parties and candidates and the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee(MCMC) in every district and state monitors all radio activity. They monitor the radio jingles of all political parties being transmitted on the FM channels so as to take appropriate steps to ascertain whether they are violating the Model Code of Conduct. The content of the radio jingles should not1:

  • Criticize the private lives of politicians.
  • Attack religious communities.
  • Consist of obscene and defamatory material.
  • Incite violence.
  • Affect India’s integrity, unity and sovereignty.

A register is maintained to keep track of the FM channels being heard where the name and number of channels are specifically entered. Two officers are assigned to listen to each FM channel for 30 minute slots. For example, if a political party is playing jingles mocking another candidate, the MCMC will order it to be taken down.

  1. Reconstitution of Media Certification & Monitoring Committee , Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9356-reconstitution-of-media-certification-monitoring-committee-%E2%80%93-regarding/ [↩]

How do you remove a voter from Electoral List?

It is possible to remove a voter from the electoral list. The Electoral Registration Officer issues a notice with the draft of the names of the voters, so that you can object to any of the names. This list is also sent to all the political parties and will be displayed on the website of the Chief Electoral Officer, notice board of Electoral Registration Officer and polling stations.

Filing an Objection

If you want to inform the Electoral Registration Officer or the Booth Level Officer that a voter you know is not eligible to be on the electoral list of that constituency for any reason, such as change of address or death of voter etc, you will have to file an objection by filling Form 7. By filling this form, you are: Preventing any person’s name from being included in the electoral roll or Requesting to delete someone’s name from the electoral roll. For example, if someone you know has died or has registered twice as a voter in two different places, then you can fill in these details in Form 7.1 You can get a hardcopy of the form 7 by visiting the Electoral Registration Officer of your constituency or download it or you fill it online.

Time Limit

You will have 30 days from the date of publication of the notice to file your objection by filling Form 7. The objection can be made by you alone or on behalf of your family members. Multiple objections on behalf of other people cannot be filed by you.2

Submitting the Form

When you submit the form to the Electoral Registration Officer either in person, by post or online, the officer will give you an acknowledgement for it only if: The Form is signed or there is a thumb impression The Form includes the name of the person filing the objection None of the information required in the Form is should be left blank and things like “not known” are not should not be written in the form. Decision of the Electoral Registration Officer The Electoral Registration Officer will look at the applications and if he thinks that the objection made by you is valid, then he will allow it. But if he requires more information, then he will hold an enquiry before making a decision. He may ask you to appear in person or give any evidence to prove the details of the objection made by you.

  1. Form 7, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/4830-form-7-application-for-objecting-inclusion-of-name-in-electoral-roll-or-seeking-deletion-of-name-from-electoral-roll/. [↩]
  2. Rule 12, Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. [↩]

Print Media and MCC

Newspapers

All print media including newspapers have to follow the rules under the MCC. The Press has a duty to1:

Be Objective Give only objective reports about elections and the candidates. Not any exaggerated reports. For example: The press cannot publish any fake news about a candidate’s election campaign.

Not Spread Hatred Refrain from reporting on election campaigning which tends to promote feelings of enmity or hatred between people, on the grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language. For example: When a leader belonging to one party says that we will teach the Muslims a lesson if we come to power.

Not Spread False Information Refrain from publishing false or critical statements in regard to the personal character and conduct of any candidate.

Verify Facts Refrain from publishing any unverified allegations against any candidate or political party.

Not Take Money for Stories

  • Refrain from accepting any kind of money or gifts to write about a candidate or political party.
  • Not publish any advertisement at the cost of public exchequer regarding the achievements of the ruling party.

For example, if certain advertisements of offending nature are published in a newspaper regarding a political party, then it is violative of the MCC and the printer and publisher may be punished for it.

Posters and Pamphlets

The MCC only applies to those printed pamphlets, hand-bill or other documents distributed to promote or demote any candidate or political party.2

For example, if a political party publishes a poster with a morphed picture of a candidate, then it is violative of the MCC and the printer and publisher may be punished for it.

Announcement of Dates

It does not include any hand-bill, placard or poster announcing the date, time, place and other particulars of an election meeting or routine instructions to election agents or workers.

For example, if a political party publishes a poster with a morphed picture of a candidate, then it is violative of the MCC and the printer and publisher may be punished for it.

Publishing the name of the printer and publisher

Any advertisements made in newspapers, posters and pamphlets have to bear the name of the printer and the publisher. If any content in the advertisement violates the MCC, then the printer or publisher responsible may face jail time for six months and/or be punished with a fine up to Rs. 2,000.3

All the printers of newspapers, posters and pamphlets and other print media have to do the following before printing:

  • Obtain a copy of a declaration as to the identity of the publisher with the publisher’s signature and two witnesses attesting the declaration.
  • One copy of the declaration and the document have to be printed and sent to the Chief Electoral Officer of the State (if it is printed in any capital of a State) or to the District Magistrate of the district where it is printed.

Electronic Versions of Newspapers, Posters and Pamphlets

If the newspaper, posters or pamphlets are in electronic form then the law requires the publisher to pre-certify the advertisement by sending it to a Media Certification and Monitoring Committee set up in district and state levels, who will certify that the document is not violating any laws or the MCC.

  1. Press Council of India Guidelines for Election Reporting, https://mea.gov.in/Uploads/PublicationDocs/19163_Guidelines_on_Election_Reporting_1996_22-03-2009.pdf [↩]
  2. Chapter 15, Manual for Model Code of Conduct, Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct [↩]
  3. Section 127A, Representation of Peoples Act, 1951. [↩]

How can an NRI vote?

If you are an NRI you still have a right to vote in India. You are eligible to vote in the constituency area of the address given in your passport.1

You can fill out the application Form 6A online. You can even fill this form in person by either obtaining a copy from the Electoral Registration Office or downloading it from the Election Commission Website. This Form will be free of cost.

You will have to fill the form with the following documents:

  • One recent passport size coloured photograph.
  • Self Attested copies of the relevant pages of the passport containing photograph and address in India.
  • Copy of the page of the passport containing the valid visa endorsement.

Submitting the Form

When you submit the form in person, you will have to take your passport and original documents with you to the Electoral Registration Officer so that he can verify details. If you are sending the Form by post, then make sure that all the documents are self-attested and attached with the Form.

Verification

A Booth Level Officer will visit the home address mentioned in your passport to verify all the details given and if there is no relative available to verify your place of residence and other details, then the officer will send the documents to the Indian Mission.

  1. Overseas Electors, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/. [↩]

Billboards and Hoardings during Campaigning

The content of posters, billboards and hoardings can display general information like family planning, social welfare schemes, etc. but they cannot display the achievements of political parties, photos of politicians and party symbols during campaigning.1

No political party or candidate can use your land, building or compound wall without your permission to erect billboards, hoardings, flag-staff, notices etc, otherwise it would amount to defacement of your property.

If this happens to you, please complain to your nearest District Electoral Office.

For example, if the ruling party puts up a hoarding on the highway with pictures of the members of their political party, then this violates the Model Code of Conduct.

  1. Chapter 6, Manual on Model Code of Conduct, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct/ [↩]

Who is a Service Voter?

You are a service voter  if you are currently a1:

  • Member of Armed Forces – Army, Navy and Air Force.
  • Member of Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Seema Sashastra Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, General Engineering Reserve Force and Border Roads Organisation under Border Roads Development Board.
  • Member of Armed police force of a state, who are serving outside of that state.
  • Person who is employed by the Government of India in a post outside India, like those working for Embassies and High Commissions outside India.
  • Wife of someone in any of the above

Upon leaving or retiring from any of these services, you will no longer be considered a service voter.

  1. Service Voters Portal, Election Commission of India, available at http://servicevoter.nic.in/ [↩]

Political Advertisements

Advertising which is in the nature of political propaganda or pursues a political agenda, is known as political advertising. Political advertising is allowed, but regulated by the MCC. If political parties or candidates misuse advertisements to further their prospects in the elections, they are violating the MCC. The MCC prohibits candidates and political parties from doing the following:

  • Putting up advertisements that contain any abusive language.
  • Putting up advertisements or political arguments which target the personal lives of politicians. Criticizing political parties of their past work is allowed, but parties have to refrain from criticizing the aspects of a candidate’s personal life which is not connected with their political activities.
  • Using public exchequer to issue advertisements regarding a coverage of their political rally or political achievements.

The following are the ways by which political parties give out advertisements1:

  1. Part 1, General Conduct, Model Code of Conduct. [↩]

How can a Service Voter register to vote?

You can register your name as a service voter in the electoral roll of your home constituency, i.e. where your permanent residence is. You also have the option to register as a general voter at the place you are posted at, like a military cantonment area, but subject to the following conditions1:

  • You must be residing at the place of posting with your family for a sufficient amount of time, or
  • You are on a tenure posting of 3 years or more in that place of posting.

You can only be registered in one place/constituency at a time. So, while you are filing the application form, you will have to make a declaration confirming that you are not registered in any other constituency electoral roll.

How to Register

If you are a service voter or a wife of a service voter, then you have to follow these steps to register to vote:

Step 1

Fill 2 copies of the relevant application form of the category of service you belong to.

  • Armed Forces (Form 2)
  • Armed Police (Form 2A)
  • Diplomats/Officials working in Embassies and Missions (Form 3)

Step 2

Submit it to the Record Office or Nodal Officer of the place/constituency you are applying from, along with the required documents.

  1. Service Voter Brochure, Ministry of External Affairs available at https://mea.gov.in/Images/pdf/service-voter-brochure.pdf [↩]

Use of Defence Forces for Campaigning

One cannot use defence forces for campaigning purposes i.e. no political party or candidate should use the photographs of any defence forces or army staff during their campaign. Their photographs or functions cannot be mentioned in advertisements.1

Some examples of violations of MCC by using armed forces for campaigning are:

  • If a candidate campaigns by using the name of army personnel to get votes.
  • If a candidate or political party campaigns by putting up posters and billboards with the pictures of defence personnel.
  1. Heading 9.8, Manual for Model Code of Conduct, Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct [↩]

What is the process of Voting as a Service Voter?

Once you have received your ballot papers, follow the steps mentioned below to cast your vote as a service voter1:

Step 1

  • Put a tick mark (✓) or cross mark (x) next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for.
  • You must not write or mark anything on the ballot paper that would reveal your identity.

Step 2

  • Fill Form 13A declaring that you have cast your postal ballot. Attest it by a notary/stipendiary magistrate or the commanding officer of your unit, ship or establishment (depending upon which wing of the armed forces you are from).
  • If you are a government official serving abroad, you must get it attested by the diplomatic or consular representative of India at the country where you are posted.

Step 3

  • Note down the serial number of your ballot paper on the Form 13B cover and Place your marked ballot paper inside it and seal it according to the instructions.

Step 4

  • Put your duly filled and sealed Form 13A and Form 13B in the envelope provided (Form 13C). The envelope will already be addressed to your Returning Officer.
  • You do not need to affix any postal stamp on your envelope.
  • If you are a government official casting your postal ballot then you can send it either by airmail or as a diplomatic package.
  • Post it by the time and date timelines mentioned.

If you send it after the fixed time, your vote will not be counted.

  1. Service Electors FAQ, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/faqs/voter-electors/service-voter/faqs-service-electors-r13/ [↩]

Unfair Election Practices by Candidates

There are many practices during an election campaign that candidates are not supposed to do, which count as unfair election practices by the candidates, such as1:

  • Using official vehicles without permission.
  • Booth capturing.
  • Using the help of gazetted officers, stipendiary judges and magistrates, members of the armed forces, members of police forces, excise officers, revenue officers (other than village revenue officers like Patels, Deshmukhs), etc. for election campaigning.
  • Advertising using Government money and public funds.
  • Using religion during campaigning.
  • Using armed forces during campaigning.
  • Unfair use of public grounds and spaces for campaigning
  • Unfair use of print media, television, radio, social media etc.
  1. Section 123, Representation of Peoples Act, 1951. [↩]

How do you cast a Postal Ballot as a Service Voter?

If you are registered as a service voter in your home constituency, i.e. constituency where your permanent residence is, and you are posted elsewhere when the elections are announced, the Returning Officer of your home constituency will send you and your wife postal ballots.

The Returning officer will send you the following forms/papers for you to cast your vote:

  • A postal ballot paper (with your electoral roll number and the initials ‘PB’ written on the backside of the form by the Returning Officer)
  • Form 13A, i.e. a declaration saying that you have casted your vote.
  • Form 13B i.e. a cover for placing your marked ballot paper
  • Form 13C i.e. a cover with your duly filled Form 13A and Form 13B addressed to the Returning Officer
  • Form 13D i.e. a copy of the instructions explaining how to cast your vote along with time and date by which you should send the ballots back)

If the postal ballot is received by the Returning Officer as undelivered, he will send it to you again by post. You can even ask the Returning Officer to have the postal ballot delivered to you personally.

If for some reason your postal ballot gets damaged and you cannot cast your vote through it, you can ask your Returning Officer to send you a second set of ballot papers and return the spoiled ones back to him. Only if the Returning Officer is satisfied that they are indeed spoiled, he will send you a second set.

To reduce the time of sending ballot papers, the Election Commission has set up an ETPB method – Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots. By using ETPB, the Returning Officer can send you the ballot papers electronically and you can download the same using an OTP (One Time Pin) generated specifically for you. Once you have entered your OTP, you can download your forms accordingly. For further information, please refer to the Election Commission’s Service Voter Portal.1

Once you have received your ballot papers, follow the steps mentioned below to cast your vote:

Step 1

In order to cast your vote on the postal ballot you must either out a tick mark (✓) or cross mark (x) next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for. But you must not write or mark anything on the ballot paper that would reveal your identity.

Step 2

Fill in Form 13A declaring that you have casted your postal ballot and get it attested by a notary/stipendiary magistrate or the commanding officer of your unit, ship or establishment (depending upon which wing of the armed forces you are from). If you are a government official serving abroad, you must get it attested by the diplomatic or consular representative of India at the country where you are posted.

Step 3

After marking your vote and getting your declaration attested, note down the serial number of your ballot paper on the Form 13B cover and place your marked ballot paper inside it and seal it.

Step 4

Take the sealed Form 13B and your Form 13A declaration and put it in an envelope (Form 13C) addressed to your Returning Officer and post it by the time and date mentioned accordingly. You do not need to affix any postal stamp on your envelope. If you send it after the fixed time, your vote will not be counted. If you are a government official casting your postal ballot then you can send it either by airmail or as a diplomatic package.

  1. ETPBS & Service Voter, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/divisions-of-eci/it-applications-etpbs-servicevoter/ [↩]

Candidate’s Legal Duties to the Community

Candidates while campaigning have a duty to1:

Not Spread Hatred

Candidates should not promote or attempt to promote any feelings of enmity or hatred in the name of religion, race, caste, community, language, etc. by a candidate or a political party.

For example, if a candidate while campaigning asks the Hindu community to vote for him/her, with the promise of eradicating other religious minorities, then this is a practice of spreading hatred among the people.

Not to Promote Sati

Candidates should not propagate or glorify sati since it is not only banned under the MCC but also the law.

For example, if a candidate promises to bring back the sati practice in a community in exchange for votes, then it is a violation of the MCC.

Not Make False Statements

Making false statements in connection with an election to influence the voters to vote for or refrain from voting for a candidate is a violation of the MCC.

For example, if a candidate makes a statement saying that the EVM Machine is recorded and threatening voters with consequences if they do not vote for him, then it is a violation of the MCC.

  1. Chapter 4, Heading 4.4, Manual for Model Code of Conduct, Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct. [↩]

What is Proxy voting for Service Voters?

If you are a service voter belonging to either of the following two categories, then you have an option to vote through a proxy at your home constituency1:

  • Armed forces of the Union
  • Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Seema Sashastra Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, General Engineering Reserve Force and Border Roads Organisation under Border Roads Development Board

If you choose this option to vote, you will be recognised as a ‘Classified Service Voter’ (CSV).

This option is NOT available to armed police forces of a State or government officials and diplomats serving abroad.

You can appoint any person living in your home constituency as your proxy if they are:

  • Someone who has been living in that constituency for some time and is a citizen of India
  • Above 18 years of age
  • Not banned from registering as a voter on the electoral roll of that constituency.

How to Appoint a Proxy1

Sign a duly filled Form 13F before your commanding officer of your unit, ship or establishment and send it to the person who you are appointing as proxy. The proxy will have to sign the form in front of a notary or a First Class Magistrate and submit it to the Returning Officer at your constituency. If you are at your home constituency, both you and your proxy can sign Form 13F before a notary or a First Class Magistrate.

You can exercise this option of voting through proxy only till you remain a service voter.

Once appointed, they will continue to be your proxy till you revoke their appointment, or till they die. If you wish to revoke this to back to voting through postal ballots, you must fill Form 13G and send it to your Returning Officer. As soon as he receives the duly filled form, the proxy will be revoked.

How to vote through proxy1

Your proxy will cast your vote at the polling station, by following the standard procedure set for general voters. This vote that your proxy will cast will be in addition to the one they may cast in their own name. For the vote that the proxy casts for you, the indelible ink marking will be made on the middle finger of their left hand.

  1. Service Electors FAQ, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/faqs/voter-electors/service-voter/faqs-service-electors-r13/ [↩] [↩] [↩]

Use of Government Property for Political Meeting and Campaigning

The political party in power or their candidates are not allowed to monopolize the use of public places like maidans, helipads, etc for holding public meetings.

For this purpose, political parties and candidates are allowed to use public or government-owned spaces such as playgrounds of schools, colleges and other educational institutions or other such public properties, provided that1:

  • Academic calendar of school/college is not disturbed under any circumstances.
  • The school/college management has no objection, and prior permission for such campaigning is obtained from them as well as Sub Divisional Officer concerned.
  • Such permission is granted on first-come-first served basis and no political party is allowed to monopolize use of such grounds.
  • There is no order/direction of any court prohibiting use of any such premise/ground.
  • The political parties/candidates/campaigners shall ensure that the MCC is not violated.
  • The political party or candidate who has been allowed to use the school grounds will have to ensure that no damage is done to the to the ground. If there is any damage then they must pay appropriate compensation to the school authorities.

Private property can also be used for campaigning for political meetings but they will have to take permission from the owners.

If a person does not take permission from the owner of the property (public or private), it would be a crime where the person will be punished with jail time up to 3 months and/or a fine.

  1. Chapter 12, Manual on Model Code of Conduct, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct/ [↩]

Conduct of Candidate While Campaigning

There is a certain conduct that candidates must follow while campaigning. All political parties and candidates should avoid activities that affect the voters and other candidates such as1:

Actions against Voters

  • Bribes: Bribing voters to vote for or not vote for a candidate or party. For example: Giving a voter a television to vote for a candidate.
  • Threats: Threatening voters that there will be consequences for not voting for a certain party/candidate.
  • Inducing Voters: Trying to make anyone believe that they will be subject to any godly punishment if they do not follow the instructions of the candidate.
  • Impersonation of Voters: Impersonation of voters to cast illegal votes.

Actions against Candidates

  • Threats to Other Candidates: Threatening any other candidate or voter with injury or any kind of social ostracism, ex-communication or expulsion from any caste or community.
  • Personal Attacks: While criticising other candidates and political parties, candidates must restrict their comments to policies, programmes, past records and works of other parties and candidates. They should not criticise or comment on the private lives of other candidates, political parties or their workers. Criticism based on unverified reports should also be avoided at all costs.
  1. Manual for Model Code of Conduct, Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct [↩]

How do you Report and Complain during Elections?

There are options of reporting and complaining during elections. If you have any complaints due to lack of action etc. by authorities, there are many ways to contact the election authorities:

Going to the Officer

You can send a letter to the Electoral Regional Officer, Chief Election Officer or the District Election Officer and file a complaint. You can find out where the offices are here.

Online Websites

The National Grievances Service by the Election Commission is a website where you can file all complaints, suggestions or give information.

Email

If you are an Indian Citizen, then you can send an email to complaints@eci.gov.in and if you are an overseas elector then you can send an email to overseas.elector@eci.gov.in. You can send an email regarding any suggestions or complaints and request any information.

Mobile Applications

If you are an Android Smartphone user, then go to the play store and download the Voter Helpline App. You can lodge your complaint by using the mobile app. To understand more about the application look the C-Vigil Manual.

By Post

You can send a letter to the Electoral Regional Officer, Chief Election Officer or the District Election Officer and file a complaint. You can find out where the offices are here.

Ban on Use of Official Vehicles during Campaigning

The use of any official vehicles for campaigning or election-related travel from the date of announcement of elections till the completion of elections is not allowed.1

But, if a political leader is under threat of extremist and terrorist activities and requires security, they can request the Election Commission for the use of an official vehicle.

What are Official Vehicles?

Official vehicles are those vehicles that belong to the following2:

  • Central/State government,
  • Public Undertakings/Joint Sector Undertakings of central and state governments,
  • Local bodies, Panchayats, Municipal Corporations, Cooperative Societies, Marketing boards,
  • Autonomous district councils in which public funds are invested,
  • Ministry of Defence and other Ministers.

The different kinds of official vehicles are helicopters, aircraft, cars, jeeps, automobiles, boats, hovercrafts, trucks, lorries, tempos, cycle-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, buses, etc.

  1. Section 123(5) and Section 160, Representation of the People Act, 1951. [↩]
  2. FAQs, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/faqs/. [↩]

What is the Voter Helpline Number?

The National, State and District Contact Centre Toll-Free number is 1950 and is operational between 8 am to 8 pm, both in Hindi and English. An agent will ask you for information regarding your name, mobile number and email ID and then you can ask for help regarding any issue. You can :

  • Ask for any information that you require about voting or voter ID card
  • File a complaint over the phone which they will register and they will give you the complaint ID Number over the phone which you can note down. You can use this number to follow up your complaint.
  • Ask for any suggestions or feedback regarding any issue that you face or know of.

You can even contact the Chief Electoral Officer of your area to get more information or help to navigate through the processes. The number for the CEO at Delhi is 1800111400. There is also a Voter Helpline App you can use. Read more about it here.