There is a chance to the ruling party to. influence the voters by misusing the
power. In order to check this, the Election Commission has laid down some rules
and regulations. They are:
1. The ruling party leaders shall not misuse the power, they should not use
bureaucracy for party related works.
2. Their official visits and party related visits shall not be
mingled.
3. They should not use government vehicles for
campaigning.
4. If more than three security vehicles are used in
campaigning, it should be shown in poll expenditure
5. The movement the election schedule is issued, the
election expenditure will come into force.
6. The public properties like government buildings, offices,
places shall not be used for campaigning by any party.
7. No advertisements of the government schemes shall be
given either in print media or in electronic media.
8. Before giving announcements on TV, the political parties shall obtain permission
of the Election Commission.
9. After the election notification is issued, the ruling government shall not release
any grants, make payments, issue new schemes. They should not start any new
projects or give any kind of promise.
The Chief Electoral Officer at the state level assists the Election Commission
of India. He/She is appointed by the Election Commission of India, after consulting
the state government concerned. This post doesn’t have a constitutional status.
Generally, the senior most IAS officer shall be appointed. The elections to the
parliament and state assembly in the state are held under his/her monitoring. At the
district level, the District Collector acts as the Chief Election Officer.
To conduct and monitor elections in every constituency, an officer is
appointed. He/she is called as the “Returning Officer”. The candidates, who
registered their names in the voters’ list, are eligible and have zeal to be elected as
representatives submit their nomination papers to the Returning Officer. Their
nominations must be supported by at least one registered elector of the constituency.
If a candidate is sponsored by a registered party, he/she is called the party candidate.
The others are called the independents.