New Delhi: In the midst of the controversy over the Governments' publicity blitz ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission (EC) today (Feb 12, 2004) directed the State Governments to firmly implement the model code of conduct once the poll schedule is announced.

A clear direction to this effect was given by Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishna Murthy and the other two Election Commissioners B B Tandon and N Gopalaswami at a meeting with Chief Secretaries, Home Secretaries and director generals of police (DGPs) from 13 states in New Delhi.

During the day-long meeting, senior officials from the States were told that they should strictly enforce the Commission's order to transfer officials who have completed four years in the same district and ensure that no official continued in his home district for free and fair elections, EC sources said.

They were asked to finalise the requirement of security forces as also fill up the vacancies of returning officers and assistant returning officers, the sources said.