Cong seeks ban on chargesheet booklet

SHILLONG: Seems like the BJP’s chargesheet sting still badly hurts the state unit of the Congress. Taking cognizance of the chargesheet released recently, the Congress has filed a complaint with the chief electoral officer asking for circulation of the publication to be banned.
A letter written to the chief electoral officer by MPCC working president Vincent Pala says the document does not meet the legal requirements under section 127 A of the RP Act 1951.
According to the Congress, the publication is false and malicious without the name of the printer, which is in gross violation of legal requirements under the RP Act.
The section 127 A states that no person will print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, any election pamphlet or poster which does not bear on its face the names and addresses of the printer and the publisher.
Another clause is that no person will print or cause to be printed any election pamphlet or poster unless a declaration as to the identity of the publisher , signed by him and attested by two persons to whom he is personally known, is delivered by him to the printer in duplicate.
The party also said that copies of the publication should be seized to ensure free and fair elections in the state, failing which the objectionable material would cause irreversible damage to the electoral prospects of the party if the offenders are not brought to book.
The booklet contains allegations of corruption against Congress ministers including Ampareen Lyngdoh.
When contacted, CEO FR Kharkongor said the state election department was examining the contents of the publication.
“If we find that the publication violates the guidelines of the Election Commission we will send a notice to the BJP,” he added.