The grand feasts thrown in during poll campaigns to woo voters may whet their appetite but they run the risk of being closely monitored by the Election Commission (EC).
Election Commissioner Navin Chawla said instructions have been issued to keep a close watch on feasts being hosted to canvas people's support for a particular candidate.
"The revenue and audit observers tasked with taking care of expenses of such feasts will have to report to the Commission," Chawla told a news conference here today.
Chawla said the EC would not tolerate violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
"We have our firm view on the issue and we want to ensure zero-tolerance in the cases relating to violation of the Model Code of Conduct for elections," the EC said.
He said the Commission has instructed district magistrates and superintendents of police in Bihar to register violation of the Model Code if such matters came to their notice.
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In reply to a question, Chawla said that the EC wanted fair elections.
"We can ensure registration of cases found to be prima facie relating to code violation. The Commission's purview is limited on the issue," the election commissioner said.
For trial of the cases "it is within the jurisdiction of the court of law where we don't come into the picture".
The Commission has also instructed the authorities that jail manuals must be thoroughly adhered to in cases of candidates contesting the elections from being behind the bars, Chawla said.