Shimla, April 28 -- The State Election Commission (SEC), Himachal Pradesh, on Tuesday announced the immediate enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) across the state following the declaration of the seventh general elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions.

According to an official notification, the elections will be conducted in three phases on May 26, 28, and 30. In view of ensuring free, fair, and smooth conduct of the electoral process, the Commission has invoked its powers under Article 243K of the Constitution of India and Section 160 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.

The Commission stated that the Model Code of Conduct, as notified earlier, has come into force with immediate effect and will remain in operat...