Election Commission has directed that the hearings by Chief Ministers, Ministers or politically appointed office bearers of statutory bodies in five poll bound states be deferred till the conclusion of poll. <br/><br/>The Commission asked Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh to see compliance of this direction and submit action taken report latest by 17th of this month. <br/><br/>The poll panel said, if any such hearing is required to be held in compliance with any court order or mandatory provisions of the law, the hearing should be held by a Secretary level officer nominated by Chief Secretary. <br/><br/>It observed that hearings by Chief Minister, Minister or politically appointed office bearers may directly or indirectly influence voters and may disturb the level playing field.