In strict adherence to the EC’s model code of conduct, election officials in Uttarakhand have lodged complaints against ruling Congress candidates and candidates from other parties for violation of the code, defacement of public property and using more than the prescribed number of vehicles. Several of them have also been served notices for breaking the code .

State Health Minister Tilak Raj Behad has been pulled up by the EC for violating the code of conduct when he published his photographs in an advertisement after polls were announced in the state.

Udham Singh Nagar DM GK Diwedi said notices were served on the minister who then replied. “The matter was sent to the Chief Electoral Officer of the state who referred the issue to the Election Commission which censured the minister,” he said.

District officials have also lodged an FIR against the Health Minister for causing hindrance in the working of government officials following a tiff at the lunch hosted by the nephew of Akbar Ahmed Dumpy, Fazal Ahmed Chabi.

Opposition parties alleged that the lunch was arranged to influence voters of a particular community in Kiccha area of Udham Singh Nagar district from where Behad is contesting.