Assam bye-polls: ECI issues notice to Assam CM for violating Moral Code of Conduct
GUWAHATI:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notice to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Bisawa Sarma seeking an explanation for violation of the Model Code of Conduct during by-election campaigns.
"Going through the English transcripts of your speeches, received from District Election Officers concerned through the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, it is confirmed that you have made promises and announcements while addressing the gatherings at various places in the constituencies," the notice issued to CM Sarma read.
"The Commission is of the view that by making the above statements, you have violated the said provision of Model Code of Conduct and the instructions,” said the secretary of Election of India NT Bhutia.
The Commission issued the notice following complaints lodged by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah, and Congress Legislative Party leader Debabrata Saikia.
Welcoming the ECI’s move of taking cognizance of the matter, the APCC stated that Sarma as a constitutional head of the state has degraded the institutions and rules of the constitution.
APPC also said that the EC should not wait for the reply of the showcase notice and instead, bar the CM from further campaigning.
"This will set an honourable example for EC that the model code of conduct rules have been made to be followed and not to be disregarded in utter disdain by those in power," the APPC said in a statement.
The Congress leaders had alleged that the Chief Minister and designated star campaigner for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced several developmental projects at various election meetings held in Bhabanipur, Thowra and Mariani Assembly Constituencies.
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