New Delhi, January 29
The Election Commission (EC) has asked all states going to the Assembly elections, not to violate the Model Code of Conduct and specifically directed them not to “write off” loans advanced to individuals, companies and firms as it will be violation under the code.

“In a bid to return to power, ruling parties in states going to the polls may be tempted to write-off loans advanced to business houses which fund their coffers ahead of the elections”, the Election Commission said.

In a letter to the states, the EC stated that the Model Code of Conduct came into effect from the day the elections were announced.

The EC directed the states that no financial institutions under their control and funded by them, waive loans advanced to any individual, firm or company till the poll exercise was wrapped up.

The EC has also directed all recognised political parties to file statement of accounts indicating their election expenses at all levels. It has decided to make public the accounts statement submitted by political parties to the Election Commission.

The commission has issued notices to political parties to maintain individual accounts spent on the poll by the candidates and the party separately.

In a bid to reduce chances of mischief on the polling day, the Election Commission today also announced that the indelible ink marking the casting of franchise would be applied not once but twice on the left forefinger of the voters.

The ink should be applied in two corners of the lower end of the nail on the left forefinger of the voter, the commission said adding that it should be applied on the root of the nail allowing some portion of the ink to cover skin immediately below the root of the nail.

Before applying the ink for the second time, it should be ensured that sufficient time was given after the first mark so that it dried up by that time, it said adding that after the first mark of indelible ink was applied, signature or thumb impression might be obtained on the counterfoil of the ballot paper or in the register of voters.

The Presiding Officer in charge of control unit of the voting machines would ensure by inspecting the left forefinger of the voter that the indelible ink marks were not removed by the elector before he proceeded to the voting compartment and also before leaving the polling station after voting, the commission said.