The Election Commission on Wednesday issued show-cause notices to the BJP and the BJD for alleged violation of the model code of conduct by publishing advertisements in various newspapers after the campaigning period for the second phase polls in the State was over on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Hariballav Mishra had told reporters, “Show-cause notices will be issued to the general secretaries of BJP and BJD for violation of poll code which is in force for the second phase elections in the State. We will seek replies from both the parties for violating the section 126 (B) of the Representation of People’s Act,”
Interestingly, the ruling BJD had moved the EC against the BJP accusing it of violating the model code of conduct by publishing advertisements after the campaign process ended for the first phase polls.“Since the EC did not take any action against the BJP even after our complaint, we published the advertisements this time so that the BJP may not take similar advantage in the second phase,” said BJD general secretary Narendra Swain, who is in charge of party advertisements and election affairs.
While admitting that it’s a violation of the poll code, he said the party would submit its reply to the EC after getting the show-cause notice.