Chennai, April 18 (IANS) With voting in the assembly elections over in Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, the Election Commission has eased some of the restrictions laid down in the model code of conduct.

 
 In a letter to the chief electoral officers of Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, which was released to the media by CEO of Tamil Nadu Praveen Kumar, the commission has said tenders for approved works could be floated, but awarding the same will need its approval.
 
 The commission also permitted the commencement of works for which work orders were issued earlier but not started due to the operation of the model code of conduct.
 
 The official tours of ministers - state and central - and secretaries have been permitted.
 
 The commission, however, has barred review of work of police or revenue or any other election official without its prior approval.
 
 The commission has also permitted the use of government guest houses by ministers on official duty except between May 11-15 when the rooms are reserved for the poll observers.
 
 As a measure of providing security to the voting machines now kept under lock and key the commission has barred processions within one kilometre radius of the strong room.
 
 While the commission has permitted the release of funds from parliamentarians' constituency development fund, it has continued the ban on fund release from the state legislators' constituency development fund.