It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that with reference to its instruction contained in letter no.437/6/INST/2016-CSS dated 29th June, 2017, which was reiterated vide letter no. 437/6/1/ECI/INST/FUNCT/MCC/2017 dated 18th January, 2018 that in case the constituency is comprised in State Capital/Metropolitan Cities/Municipal Corporations, then MCC instructions would be applicable in the area of concerned Constituency only. In all other cases, aforesaid instructions would be enforced in the entire district(s) covering the Constituency going for bye-election(s).

The spirit of these instructions has been that developmental and administrative works should continue without the implications of MCC and the campaigning for the bye election should be restricted in the PC/AC concerned only.

However, there exists a situation that political activities akin to ongoing bye election may be conducted outside the PC/AC but within the district. Such activities will be in contravention to the spirit of the aforesaid instructions. Thus, it is further clarified that if any electioneering activities connected to ongoing bye election are organized anywhere within the district, then all instructions related to enforcement of MCC, COVID and expenditure monitoring shall apply as done in case of political activities. District Election Officer concerned shall exercise all necessary action in such cases and ensure strict compliance.

 ****

RP