By Jaideep Sarin. India, 12:01 PM IST

It is common for candidates to violate the Election Commission's model code of conduct. But contestants in Punjab's Nawanshahr district might disagree. Thanks to returning officer Krishna Kumar, all candidates have been forced to zealously follow the poll code.

In the most recent incident, a Shiromani Akali Dal candidate was slapped a penalty of Rs.110,000 for having a cavalcade of 55 cars, instead of the three allowed, when he came to file his nomination papers. He was charged Rs.2,000 per extra vehicle.

Candidates are allowed to put up posters and banners only at allocated places and the cost of each is valued at the prevailing market rates. Money spent on removing publicity material that violates the code is charged from concerned candidates and added to their poll expenses.

But people are happy that contestants are not being allowed to have a free run and put up their poll material just about everywhere. Truly, Kumar - who has been spearheading a campaign in the district against female foeticide - has ensured that everything written in the poll code is actually implemented.

By Jaideep Sarin (Staff Writer, © IANS)