Bihar Polls: DM clarifies what to do and not to do during code of conduct in state; Click to know

The DM clarified that conducting elections in a clean, fair, intimidating, and transparent environment is the administration’s top priority. He urged all officials, political parties, and others to strictly follow all the guidelines of the ECI.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal
Updated : 8 October 2025, 11:39 AM IST
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Patna: District Election Officer and District Magistrate Dr Tyagarajan SM held a standing committee meeting in the Collectorate meeting hall on Tuesday.

Representatives of political parties, the Electoral Registration Officer, the Treasury Nodal Officer, and several other officials attended.

The District Magistrate clarified that conducting elections in a clean, fair, intimidating, and transparent environment is the administration's top priority. He urged all officials, political parties, and others to strictly follow all the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.

He stated that the administration is fully prepared, with monitoring at every level, timely clearance of campaign materials, providing a fearless environment for voters, and adequate facilities and technical resources.

Deputy Election Officer Ashutosh Rai provided detailed information about the Election Commission's directives to representatives of recognized political parties.

Compliance with the following provisions is mandatory:

  • Polling stations, number of voters, law and order, media certification and monitoring, compliance with the Model Code of Conduct, and eco-friendly elections were discussed.
  • Political parties, candidates, or individuals associated with elections will not use government vehicles except for official purposes. Government vehicles should not be used for election campaigns under any circumstances.
  • Ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct within 24 hours of the election announcement.
  • Compliance with the use of vehicles in light of the Commission's circulars.
  • Ensure compliance with all activities related to the Model Code of Conduct within 72 hours of the election announcement. Government property will not be used for political advertisements.
  • School and college grounds may be used for political meetings provided the academic calendar is not affected and a no-objection certificate is obtained.
  • Pamphlets and posters must bear the name and address of the printer and publisher.
  • No political party or candidate may use any person's land, building, or premises for campaigning without their permission.
  • Political parties and candidates will not criticize personal life during their campaigning.
  • Religion, caste, or community will not be invoked in their campaigning. Political campaigning will not be conducted at any religious site.
  • Bribing, intimidating, or inducing voters to vote in the name of another voter is considered corrupt and an electoral offense. Legal action will be taken against such individuals.
  • Political parties or candidates may organize meetings, processions, rallies, road shows, etc.
  • only after obtaining permission from the relevant Returning Officer. A single-window system will be operational at the level of the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer, where permission will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis within 48 hours of application.
  • Candidates will submit a maximum of four sets of nomination papers to the Returning Officer/Authorized Assistant Returning Officer.
    A candidate may file nomination papers from a maximum of two Assembly constituencies.
  • Candidates must also submit the nomination fee along with the nomination papers. The nomination fee for general category candidates is ten thousand rupees, and for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, it is half that amount.
  • Candidates can also submit their nomination and fee online through the Suvidha portal. However, a hard copy of the nomination form must be submitted to the Returning Officer/Authorized Assistant Returning Officer.
  • Candidates must open a joint bank account with themselves or their election agent one day before filing their nomination. They will incur all election-related expenses through this bank account.
  • When submitting their nomination papers, candidates must submit a stamped (2 x 2.5 cm) photograph, up to three months old.
  • Only three vehicles belonging to the candidate are permitted within 100 meters of the Returning Officer's office during the nomination process.
    Only four persons other than the candidate are permitted to enter the Returning Officer's office during the nomination process.
  • The number of proposers for a candidate from a recognized national or state-level political party is one, while a candidate from a registered political party or an independent candidate will require 10 proposers.
  • Assembly election candidates will be able to spend a maximum of 40 lakh rupees.

The Prevention of Defacement of Property Act and guidelines on vehicle use must be followed

The Expenditure Monitoring Cell provided information about election expenditure provisions at the meeting. All political parties were required to remove banners, posters, billboards, and wall writings within 24 hours of the notification, i.e., by 4 pm on Tuesday.

Failure to do so will result in action against the district president and secretary of the respective party. Banners, posters, and billboards must be removed from government property within 48 hours. This period expires at 4 pm on Wednesday.

Removal of banners, posters, and billboards from private buildings and premises is mandatory within 72 hours. Intimidating, threatening, or bribing someone in exchange for votes is a legal offense. Campaigning or holding political meetings within 48 hours before the end of voting is prohibited.

Writing or putting up posters on someone's house or wall without their permission is prohibited. Obstructing the procession of another party, removing banners, posters, hoardings of another party or candidate is also a crime.

The District Magistrate directed that the Commission will not allow any procession to be taken until the completion of all election processes.

Location : 
  • Bihar

Published : 
  • 8 October 2025, 11:39 AM IST