Politics · India · 7 hrs ago
Election Commission extends campaign rules to retired officials in poll-bound states
The Election Commission has extended election conduct rules to retired officials engaged by state governments.
The rules apply in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which are due to hold elections early next year.
Until now, there were no specific guidelines covering retired or re-employed officials during the Model Code of Conduct period.
They must stay politically neutral and avoid campaigning or canvassing for any candidate or party.
They also must not use their names, official positions or authority to support one side, or summon election officials for meetings or video calls.
The Commission said violations will be viewed seriously, and the new directions set out how these officials must act while election rules are in force.
The Election Commission of India has extended Model Code of Conduct political-neutrality rules to retired government officials and others engaged by state and Union Territory governments.
The rules require them to refrain from election campaigns and canvassing.
During the code period, they must not summon election-related officers for official meetings or hold video conferences with them.
The Commission sent the directions to officials in five states that are due to hold polls early next year.
It said violations would be viewed seriously.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India issued the directions. They apply to retired officials and other individuals engaged by state and Union Territory governments.
- What
- Political-neutrality rules under the Model Code of Conduct now apply to those individuals. They must also avoid certain official meetings with election-related officers during the code period.
- When
- The Commission issued the directions on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- The letter went to the Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- Why
- The Commission said the individuals must maintain political neutrality during the Model Code of Conduct period.
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This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Date of directions
- November 10, 2026
- States named
- Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
- Poll timing
- Early next year
- Campaign restrictions
- Retired officials and other covered individuals must refrain from campaigning or canvassing
- Meeting restrictions
- They must not summon constituency or district election-related officers for official meetings or hold video conferences with them during the code period
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What people are saying
are not expected to take part in any election campaign or canvassing and should take scrupulous care not to lend their names, official position or authority to assist one individual/political party/group against another
shall be viewed seriously