Guwahati: The BJP candidate from 48-Mao (ST) Assembly Constituency of poll-bound Manipur, Woba Joram, has been served show cause notice by the Returning Officer in-charge of the constituency for purportedly mentioning during a TV interview that he had already spent Rs 2.02 crores for the present election and that voters in his constituency would be bribed for voting in his favour during the election by paying them in cash.
The notice of the EC dated February 23 was signed by the Returning of Officer of 48-Mao (ST) Assembly Constituency, Ng Roben Singh with one of the copies to the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur. The BJP candidate has been asked to show cause with 48 hours. As mentioned in the notice, the interview of the candidate was telecast by a New Delhi based TV channel on February 22 at 9.06 PM.The notice mentioned, “Whereas, the maximum prescribed limit for election expenditure in the state (Manipur) is Rupees twenty lakh only and any expenditure beyond the said limit will amount to corrupt practices under Sec 123(6) of the R P Act, 1951.”
It further said, “And whereas, influencing or inducing a person to exercise any electoral right by offering, or agrees to give, of offers or attempts to procure, a gratification shall be deemed to give a gratification, which is an offence of bribery under Sec. 171 (B) (1)of the IPC, 1860.”
The poll candidate has, therefore, been asked to provide his clarification/ explanation in writing regarding the contents of the video footage of the TV interview, which has been attached with the notice in a CD, at an early date and preferably within 48 hours for onward submission to the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur.
