EC serves notice on Congress for violation of poll code in Punjab
Punjab Assembly Elections 2022: The Election Commission on Wednesday issued a notice to the Congress party for not adhering to the Model Code of Conduct and ECI guidelines.
The notices were served to Congress' district president of Jalandhar Urban Balraj Thakur and the party's MLA candidate from the Jalandhar west assembly seat upcoming elections in Punjab, Sushil Rinku.
According to the notice served by the returning officer to both party leaders, the model code of conduct was breached during the rally of incumbent Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in Jalandhar on February 8.
"During this, the election campaign was done after 8 pm, public meetings were held and roadshows were organised," said the notice issued by the office of the returning officer, Jalandhar West.
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"This is in violation of the model code of conduct for elections," the notice further read, asking the party "to explain its position by February 10, 2022, till 11 am.
Ahead of crucial polls in the state, the Election Commission has asked the political parties and candidates to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour and guidelines, as well as the Model Code of Conduct, at all times during election-related activities.
As per the model code of conduct, there is a limit to the number of official announcements that can be made, from speeches given during the election campaign. Apart from this, bringing new schemes also comes under the code of conduct.
Model Code of Conduct came into force on January 12 and would be in force till the completion of the electoral process.
Notably, Punjab assembly elections 2022 are scheduled to take place on February 20, with the counting of votes on March 10.
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-PTC News
