Newmai News Network Aizawl | November 2 After reports of violation of election guidelines by some political parties, Mizoram People’s Forum (MPF), a church sponsored poll watchdog appealed all political parties to stick and respect the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between political parties and the MPF to ensure free and fair elections. Speaking to reporters here on Friday, MPF general secretary, Rev Dr Lalbiakmawia said the Forum has issued guidelines to all political parties based on the Election Commission of India’s model code of conduct to ensure free and fair election. Earlier, leaders of all national and regional political parties contesting the coming assembly polls signed MoU with the MPF. As per the agreement, candidates and political parties are not allowed to undertake door to door canvassing. However, due to appeals, candidates are allowed to do so in the presence of leaders of local units of MPF, Lalbiakmawia said. No children below 18 years of age should be misused for political purposes and candidates should not use force or intimidation to get votes, he added. According to Lalbiakmawia, all voters were asked to refrain from receiving money and therefore, has put a limit for expenses of not more than Rs 20 lakh. On reports that some political parties were violating the guidelines, the MPF leaders said that they have visited offices of some political parties recently and told them to respect the guidelines. Since 2008 assembly election, the MPF functions as poll watchdog in all elections, but its role is limited because it has no power to initiate action against political parties who violate the MoU or guidelines. Nevertheless, the measures taken by the MPF have been the reason for peacful, free and fair elections in Mizoram in the past decade.
