Kerala Government Establishes Screening Committee for 2026 Assembly Election Proposals
Thiruvananthapuram: With the model code of conduct (MCC) set to take effect on March 15, 2026, for the upcoming assembly elections, the Kerala state government has proactively constituted a dedicated screening committee. This move aims to streamline the handling of proposals that may require prior clearance from the Election Commission of India (ECI), ensuring strict adherence to electoral guidelines during the critical pre-election period.
Committee Composition and Mandate
A general administration department order, issued on March 16, formalized the creation of this screening committee. The panel will be headed by the chief secretary, with the secretary of the general administration department and secretaries from other concerned departments serving as members. Its primary function is to meticulously examine proposals that necessitate ECI approval before they are forwarded to the chief electoral officer (CEO).
The committee is scheduled to convene every Wednesday at 11 a.m., or as frequently as needed, to assess submissions based on existing MCC guidelines and official instructions. This structured approach is designed to prevent any procedural lapses that could potentially violate election norms.
Detailed Procedures for Departments
A separate circular outlines comprehensive procedures for how government departments must process such cases during the election period. It explicitly states that all matters involving relaxation of MCC norms or seeking clarifications must be routed through the respective administrative departments within the Secretariat, rather than being sent directly to the CEO.
Secretaries have been instructed to first examine and decide on cases at their own level, utilizing the MCC guidelines as a reference. Only proposals that fall into specific categories will be escalated to the screening committee. These include:
- Requests for exemption from MCC provisions.
- Cases where there is a lack of clarity in the existing guidelines.
- Matters that fall outside the scope of current instructions.
For such submissions, departments are required to provide detailed documentation. This must clearly state the proposal's specifics, indicate how it might violate MCC provisions, and explain why an exemption is being sought, along with remarks on urgency.
Strict Submission Requirements
The circular mandates that secretaries identify the relevant MCC provision involved and justify why the proposal cannot be deferred until after the election process concludes. Proposals intended for the screening committee must be submitted in a prescribed format, accompanied by a brief note not exceeding one page. These documents must be sent in advance to ensure they can be included in the weekly meetings for timely review.
Upon approval by the screening committee, the concerned department will then submit the proposal to the CEO for onward reference to the ECI. This submission must include full details and a note explaining the urgency of the matter. The circular emphasizes that no department should bypass this process by sending proposals directly to the CEO or ECI without the screening committee's recommendation.
Enforcement and Accountability
To maintain integrity, the circular warns that casual forwarding of files to the CEO's office will be viewed seriously and reported to the ECI. Departments have also been directed to ensure that their subordinate offices and agencies are fully aware of these new directions and the overarching MCC guidelines. This top-down communication is crucial for uniform compliance across all levels of government during the election period.
This systematic framework underscores the Kerala government's commitment to upholding electoral transparency and discipline as the state prepares for the 2026 assembly elections under the watchful eye of the Election Commission.
