Nilgiris: In a commendable initiative, District Collector P Aruna of Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, convened a meeting with printing press and marriage hall owners to make them aware of the essential protocols for the forthcoming elections.

Held at the collectorate, the engagement is aimed at ensuring fair and smooth electoral processes.

During the session, Collector Aruna highlighted the significance of adhering to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), affirming its applicability until the declaration of poll results. She emphasized the importance of obtaining approvals from respective police stations for gatherings organised by candidates and political entities, thereby ensuring transparency and legality.

Moreover, Collector Aruna stressed the necessity of maintaining comprehensive records, including names, addresses and contact details, with data collection overseen by both law enforcement and election officials. Additionally, she emphasized the role of money lenders and paan shop owners in verifying affiliations with political entities, safeguarding against undue influence during the electoral period.

Furthermore, she highlighted the responsibility of painting shop owners in ensuring transparency in political advertisements, with stringent requirements for disclosure and documentation.