Dehradun: The 38th National Games are to begin in Uttarakhand from January 28, 2025. Preparations are going on in full swing. Meanwhile, civic elections have been announced in Uttarakhand. This mega event is also facing some restrictions due to the civic elections being held in the state before the National Games and its model code of conduct.
As soon as the code of conduct is imposed, questions are being raised on the programs of the National Games
The code of conduct has been imposed in Uttarakhand regarding the civic elections. This code of conduct will remain in force till January 25, 2025. National Games are to be held in Uttarakhand from January 28, 2025. The code of conduct imposed in the state just before these games will directly affect the National Games. Congress has already started raising questions about all the pre-events to be held before the 38th National Games. Congress had raised questions on the flag off of the torch rally
An example of this was seen after the flag off program of the torch rally in Haldwani on Thursday. Many questions were raised by the Congress on this program. Senior Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni had raised many questions calling this program organized by the Sports Minister and the Chief Minister in Haldwani Golapar a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Restrictions on pre-events, promotions and other activities of the National Games
However, the State Election Commission has denied the allegation of violation of the Model Code of Conduct on this program held in Haldwani’s Golapar on Thursday. But the Election Commission has also put forth its point on how all the activities are to be done within the ambit of the Model Code of Conduct. While talking to ETV Bharat, Secretary State Election Commission Rahul Goyal has first clarified this point that the scope of the Model Code of Conduct of the civic elections is effective only in the urban area i.e. the civic area.
The State Election Commission had given the green signal to the flag off of the torch rally
The Secretary of the State Election Commission said that the event held in Golapar on Thursday was given the green signal because it was outside the city area. Apart from this, we also asked questions about the restrictions on various activities before the organization of the 38th National Games. He told that a letter was sent to him by the Sports Department regarding the National Games. Permission was sought for various events in the letter. The Commission has given the permission letter to the Sports Department under the appropriate provisions.
The State Election Commission has given this permission to the Sports Department
Since the National Games is a big event. Uttarakhand has got the opportunity to organize it with great hard work, the State Election Commission has granted the following permissions on the permissions sought by the Sports Department-
- As long as the code of conduct is in force, events can be organized outside the municipal corporation area without any restrictions. Officers / employees engaged in the election will not participate in these programs if any political representative is a guest in that program.
- In the publicity material in the municipal body area, the photo or message of the representatives of political parties, including the ruling party, will not be displayed. There will be no permission to put up hoardings, banners, posters etc. Advertisements can be broadcast without the minister and the Chief Minister.
- No such statement, announcement or inducement should be given in the programs which will influence/tempt the voters.
- Publicity material published on media/electronic media at government expense will not broadcast pictures or messages of public representatives/gentlemen.
State Election Commission Secretary said this
Regarding ensuring compliance of the Model Code of Conduct issued by the Commission, the Commission Secretary Rahul Goyal says that all these permissions have been given under the rules and regulations. He said that whatever kind of issue will come up in the coming time, further action will be taken after considering it legally.
Events will be held within the restrictions of the Model Code of Conduct – Sports Department
We also talked to the officials of the Sports Department on this entire subject. Sports Secretary Amit Sinha said that certainly when the model code of conduct is imposed in the state, all activities are carried out under certain restrictions. He said that the Sports Department will also organize all its activities keeping in mind the model code of conduct imposed for the civic elections in the state.
Information has been shared with the State Election Commission
Principal Special Sports Secretary Amit Singh said that he has already sent a letter in this regard to the State Election Commission. Guidelines related to all the events have been sought in the letter. Information regarding the events that the Sports Department has to organize related to the National Games has also been shared with the Election Commission. Apart from this, the entire government machinery is being used in the civic elections. In such a situation, coordination is being done continuously with the departments regarding all the works of the Sports Department which are to be done in the final phase, so that the work can be completed.
