The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal for allegedly saying that while crores of rupees are spent on elections, only little is disclosed and asked people to secretly fund the campaign.
Noting that he has prima facie violated the Model Code of Conduct, the EC has asked him to explain his stand on the alleged statement by the evening of 2 May failing which the poll panel will take action without further reference to him.
Acting on a complaint of a Punjab Congress leader, the EC said the provision of the Model Code of Conduct is clear that “All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are corrupt practices and offences under the election law…”
The panel referred to his 12 April speech in Jalandhar in which he reportedly said that “crores are spent on campaigning, though we show less in expenditure details… Give quietly, don’t give openly”.
The Commission also reminded Badal of Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which prescribes that every candidate at an election shall, either by himself or by his election agent, keep a separate and correct account of all expenditure in connection with the election incurred or authorized by him.
–PTI