The elections are scheduled to be held on October 1 and the results will be announced on October 10.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has responded to allegations from Congress leader Jairam Ramesh regarding the Haryana government’s recruitment notification potentially breaching the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The concerns were raised after the Haryana government announced job vacancies following the declaration of the General Election to the Haryana Legislative Assembly on 16th August 2024.

The elections are scheduled to be held on October 1 and the results will be announced on October 10.

Ramesh’s complaints, filed on 18th and 19th August 2024, pointed out that the Haryana government had advertised 5,600 police constable positions and 76 teaching and sports positions. Further concerns were raised when the Haryana Public Service Commission scheduled examinations for 38 government posts shortly after the MCC came into force.

However, the Election Commission clarified that these recruitment processes do not violate the MCC. According to ECI guidelines, regular recruitment conducted by statutory authorities such as the Haryana Public Service Commission or Staff Selection Commission is permitted, even during the election period. The vacancies had been uploaded to the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) portal in July, prior to the election announcement, and advertisements were issued for posts already under process.

Reports from the Haryana government confirmed that the selection process had begun before the MCC’s enforcement. Although the recruitment drive is allowed to continue, the ECI has directed that no results be declared until the elections are completed to maintain a level playing field.

“However, in order to maintain the level playing field and to ensure that no undue advantage is accrued to anyone, the Commission has directed the State Government not to declare the results of these recruitments till completion of General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Haryana,” the Election Commission said in a release.

Key Points

1. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged MCC violations by Haryana’s recruitment notifications.
2. Complaints centred around the announcement of 5,600 police and 76 teaching and sports positions.
3. Haryana Public Service Commission also scheduled exams for 38 government posts post-MCC enforcement.
4. ECI clarified that recruitment by statutory authorities is allowed during MCC enforcement.
5. Haryana’s recruitment processes began before the MCC was enforced, making them compliant.
6. No results from these recruitment drives will be declared until the Haryana elections conclude.
7. ECI guidelines permit ongoing regular recruitment by bodies like the UPSC and State Commissions.
8. The vacancies were uploaded to the Haryana Staff Selection Commission portal before election announcements.
9. Haryana’s response confirmed that no new recruitment announcements were made after the MCC was enforced.
10. The ECI’s directives aim to ensure fair elections without undue advantage to any party.