All references to Chamling removed from govt website as part of MCC

GANGTOK, 03 Apr: All references to the Chief Minister, including his photos, have been removed from the official website of the State government of Sikkim. This has been done as per the instructions of the Election Commission of India. It is not just the pictures of the CM that have been deleted from the official website but also references to the schemes and other incentives in the name of the CM or the ruling party.

It is refreshing to note that the directions of the Election Commission of India are being followed in letter and spirit for a change by the authorities here in Sikkim in the context of the elections. In fact as per the directions of the ECI not just the Chief Minister but all references to any Minister including their photos are to be removed from the official websites of departments.

The ECI had a few days back issued a notification directing the deletion of all references to politicians or Ministers on the official website during the election period to the state assembly. This notification had to be reissued by the ECI when it was brought to its notice that its instructions relating to deletion of references of Ministers in official websites was not being followed. This is also as per the directions contained in the Model Code of Conduct.

However the ECI, on receiving certain complaints, had considered the question of various references in the official websites of state governments. Subsequently, the ECI decided that all references of Ministers or political parties made on official websites are to be deleted during the period that the model code of conduct is in force in connection to the general and state assembly elections. The direction of the ECI is that use of the official mass media by the ruling party is to be strictly avoided.