SRINAGAR, MAY 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Election Department has taken action against 40 government employees for violating the Model Code of Conduct in the Union Territory.
According to a communique received today, four employees have been suspended, one faces disciplinary action, and one has been disengaged from services. Additionally, inquiries have been initiated against 34 employees.
The swift action follows daily online reports from District Election Officers and offline complaints received on the official email ID of the J&K Chief Electoral Officer. These reports and complaints were lodged by the general public, political party officials, and Panchayati Raj Institutions regarding MCC violations.
This move aims to ensure the free and fair conduct of ongoing general elections while adhering to the zero-tolerance policy of the Election Commission of India against such violations.
Two employees have been suspended in Kupwara, one in Ganderbal, and one in Doda district, with inquiries initiated against them. Disciplinary action has been recommended against one employee involved in political activities, while one chowkidar has been disengaged/dismissed from services for involvement in political activities.
A warning has been issued to one employee to remain cautious in the future, who claimed to have unknowingly committed a mistake. Furthermore, inquiries are ongoing against 34 employees, including six gazetted employees, which will be taken to a logical conclusion as per the instructions of the Election Commission of India.
The highest number of violations were reported from Srinagar district, followed by Kulgam and Rajouri. Udhampur and Ganderbal districts ranked third, while Kishtwar, Bandipora, Reasi, and Samba reported the lowest number of violations.
