As announced by the Election Commission of India on the conduct of General Elections to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2023 vide Press Note No.ECI/PN/1/2023 dated 18th January 2023 and is required to conduct a free, fair, participative, accessible, inclusive, and safe election to the Legislative Assembly. With the announcement, the model code of conduct has come into immediate effect.

Therefore, in pursuance to the directives of the Election Commission of India regarding the enforcement of the model code of conduct, the following instructions 'Dos'/ 'Don'ts' have been issued to all political parties/candidates under 4 Ghaspani & 5 Ghaspani II must be strictly observed and followed.

Do's

1. To ensure a level playing field, public places like maidans and helipads must be available impartially to all parties/contesting candidates.
2. During elections, criticism of other political parties and candidates should be restricted only to their policies, programs, past records, and works.
3. The right of every individual to peaceful and undisturbed home life should be fully safeguarded.
4. The local police authorities should be fully informed and necessary permission is taken well in time for the proposed meetings.
5. Restrictive or prohibitory orders in force, in any, in the place of the proposed meeting, shall be fully respected. Exemption, if necessary, must be applied for and obtained, well in time.
6. Permission must be obtained for use of loudspeakers or any other such facilities for the proposed meetings.
7. Police assistance should be obtained in dealing with persons disturbing meetings or creating disorder.
8. The time and place of the starting and termination of any procession and the route to be followed should be finalized in advance and prior permissions obtained from the police authorities.
9. Traffic regulations and restrictive orders, in force of the localities, en route of the procession should be ascertained and fully complied with.
10. The passage of the procession must be without hindrance to traffic.
11. Cooperation should be extended to all election officials to ensure a peaceful and orderly poll.
12. All political workers engaged in electioneering must display badges or identity cards.
13. Unofficial identity slips issued to voters shall be on plain (white) paper and not contain any symbol and name of the party or name of the candidate.
14. Restrictions on plying of vehicles during the campaign period and on poll duty shall be fully obeyed. xv) Any complaint or problem regarding the conduct of elections shall be brought to the notice of the Election Commission's Observer/ Returning Officer/ Zonal/ Sector Magistrate/ Chief Electoral Officer/ Election Commission of India.
15. Directions/ Orders /Instructions of the Election Commission/Returning Officer/ District Election Officer, in all matters related to various aspects of elections, shall be strictly complied with. xvii) Do leave the constituency after the campaign period is over if you are not a voter or a candidate or the candidate's election agent from that constituency.

DON’TS

1. No official work should be mixed with campaigning/electioneering. No inducement, financial or otherwise, shall be offered to the voter.
2. No appeal on basis of caste/ communal feelings of the electors.
3. No activity, which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes/ Communities/religious/ linguistic groups, shall be attempted.
4. No aspect of the private life, not connected with the public activities, of the leaders or workers of other parties shall be criticized.
5. No criticism of other parties or their workers on basis of unverified allegations or distortions. 
6. No use of temples/mosques/churches/gurudwaras or any place of worship for election propaganda, including speeches, posters, music, etc., or electioneering.
7. Activities which are corrupt practices or electoral offenses such as bribery, undue influence, intimidation of voters, personation, canvassing within 100 meters of a polling station, holding of public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll and conveyance of voters to and from polling stations, are prohibited.
8. Demonstrations or picketing before the house of any individual, by way of protesting against their opinion or activities, shall not be resorted to.
9. In order to maintain the purity of elections and bring transparency in process of elections, political parties are advised to avoid transactions in cash and instruct their office bearers, official, agents, and candidates not to carry a huge amount of cash during elections.
10. No disturbances shall be created in public meetings or processions organized by other political parties or candidates.
11. No processions along places where another party is holding meetings.
12. Processionists shall not carry any articles, which are capable of being misused or used as missiles or weapons.
13. Posters issued by other parties and candidates shall not be removed or defaced.
14. Posters, flags, symbols, or any other propaganda material shall not be displayed the used on the day of the poll for distribution of identity slips or near polling booths.
15. No use of loudspeakers whether static or mounted on moving vehicles, between 10.00 p.m and 6.00 a.m.
16. No use of loudspeakers at public meetings and processions without prior written permission of the authorities concerned. Normally, such meetings/processions will not be allowed to continue beyond 10:00 pm the night and will be further subject to the local laws, local perceptions of the security arrangements of the area, and other relevant considerations like weather conditions, festival season, examination period, etc.
17. No liquor should be distributed during elections.

It must be made clear to the political parties that the list of Dos and Don'ts is only illustrative (not exhaustive) and is not intended to substitute or modify other detailed directions/instructions on the concerned subjects, and must be strictly observed and followed.

(Tovikali, IA, Chumoukedima)