The additional chief electoral officer, V Shanmugam has issued a show-cause notice to the Uttarakhand Congress Committee on the distribution of unemployment allowance cards in the state without permission. At the same time, all the district election officers have also been directed till further orders, to impose an immediate halt on the distribution of such Berozgari Bhatta card by the Congress party in the state.
In the notice served to the party it has been stated that “through the medium of a letter dated January 23, 2017, the additional CEO committee has in clear terms refused permission for the Berozgari Bhatta card. Inspite of this, it has come to notice through the media sources that your party is distributing such types of Berozgari Bhatta cards to the general public throughout the state.”
The notice further states, “Regarding the decision taken by the additional CEO committee, your party (Congress) did not make any appeal to the competent authority (chief electoral officer) against the decision, not has any such permission been granted to you again. Kindly clarify within 48 hours of receiving the letter, as to in which conditions was such work done and why should it not be considered a violation of the election model code of conduct to be followed by recommendation for further action.”
According to an official release, on Friday the Bharatiya Janata Party registered a complaint against a campaign video of the Congress party which conveys a message of Harish Rawat being elected along with improper picturisation of the photographs of the national leadership of the BJP. Taking cognisance of this complained, the additional chief electoral officer has sought an explanation from the Congress party within a period of 48 hours. Additionally, since Rawat is also contesting as a candidate from constituencies in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts, the district magistrates concerned have been directed to examine the case as per the regulations and then pursue further action as required. Similarly, complaints received regarding the Whats App number of voice mail being used in the campaigning for Rawat have also been sent to the district election officers of these two districts for examination as per the regulations and further action. Regarding the publication of a notice by the sports department regarding sports awards, a report has been sought from the secretary of sports as to whether this has been done according to the provisions of the MCC.