Some Congress men allegedly distributed voters’ slips to the people here that display the photo of their candidate Ajit Jogi and the party symbol, the hand, defying the Election Commission’s ban, sources said here on Saturday.
Election observer Vedveer Arya said the Election Commission has the provision to stop distribution of such voters’ slips by political parties.He said the Election Commission has directed that any candidate can distribute such voters’ slips ahead of the polling date but expenses towards such slips would be included in the candidate’s poll expenses.
Sources said starting from morning to evening the supporters of former chief minister Ajit Jogi have been distributing the voters’ slips to the people by visiting from house to house.The voters’ slips distributed by them display prominently the date and time of the election. A smiling image of Jogi and the party symbol were also found printed on the slips.
The slips also display a message to the electorate appealing them to vote for Jogi by pressing button on hand symbol.The slips also carries the name of the publisher as District Congress committee ( Rural, Urban) Mahasamund. The slips also appeal to the people to carry their identity cards while they come to the booth to exercise their franchise.
Along with voters’ slips separate posters are also being distributed. The posters also carry the image of Jogi , Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.Reacting on the alleged violation, Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders said they have brought the matter to the notice of the Election Commission.
Speaking to reporters, election observer Vedveer Arya said the Election Commission had imposed a ban on the circulation of such slips. After repeated complaints, the commission issued fresh advisory under which such slips can be distributed a day before the polling date. But the cost of such printing and distribution would be added to the poll expense account of the concerned candidates, he said. Reacting on the alleged violation, Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders said they have brought the matter to the notice of election commission.