Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Election Commission on a plea to relax the imposition of the model code of conduct during the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir as it could impact relief and rehabilitation in the flood-affected state. A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu asked the Election Commission to be present at the next hearing in the case.

The direction came on the oral request of lawyer Bhim Singh who said that the code of conduct would impact the relief and rehabilitation process, and providing food and water to the victims.

Assembly elections in the state are due to be held in five phases in November-December. Unprecedented floods caused massive damage to life and property in the state and a large number of people were rendered homeless.