Imphal, Nov. 11 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended Model Code of Conduct (MCC) restrictions to retired government officials and individuals re-employed or engaged by state governments, barring them from influencing election officials or participating in political campaigning.

The directions apply to poll-bound Manipur, Goa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, according to a letter issued by the commission to the chief secretaries and chief electoral officers of the five states on November 9.

The move follows complaints that retired government employees subsequently engaged by state governments in various capacities had been calling meetings of officials involved in election-related duties during the MCC period.

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