TURA, Oct 26: Less than a week after both parties were pulled up for violation of the model code of conduct in the election campaign at Rajabala constituency, the Congress and the NPP have once again fallen on the wrong side of the commission for campaign violations.
This time the sitting NPP legislator from Phulbari, S G Esmatur Mominin, has been slapped with a show cause notice by the Returning Officer for allegedly campaigning in interior villages beyond the stipulated time frame of 7 PM.
“The Indian National Congress today lodged a written complaint with us that Phulbari MLA S G Esmatur Mominin along with former MDC Fozibur Rahman entered the villages of Nalbari and Nayagaon after 7 PM and until 10:30 in the night for campaigning thereby violating the model code of conduct. The Congress candidate also handed over video recording of the meetings as evidence. So we have issued a show cause notice to the MLA and the Ex-MDC,” informed Returning Officer C N Sangma.
The two politicians were reportedly visiting the mentioned villages to hold small meetings in different parts when supporters of the congress tipped off their candidate.
This is the second time the NPP has found itself in a spot of bother.
Last week, its star campaigner from Raksamgre and CEM of GHADC Benedic R Marak was pulled up by the election commission for allegedly threatening people in a late night meeting.
However, the Congress was not allowed to go scot free, either.
A show cause has also been handed to the Congress election agent for violating election commission guidelines and covid protocols during Sunday evening’s public rally at New Bhaitbari playground where MPCC president and Shillong MP Vincent Pala along with leader of the opposition Mukul Sangma had addressed the crowds.
“The show cause has been issued for wilful violation of the protocols. There is sufficient videography evidence as well as news clippings,” confirmed the Returning Officer.
The limit for the rally as per the current guidelines was a maximum of 1000 crowd with star campaigners participating, informed the election official, yet, the numbers swelled as the meeting progressed.
Last week, a school headmaster was issued a show cause for making children in uniform chant slogans in support of the Congress candidate for Rajabala by-election.
FIR on the spot
Special instructions have been given empowering the flying squad and magistrate on duty to file an FIR on the spot against any political party or candidate found violating the election guidelines, it was announced by the Returning Officer.
“If any violation is found the FIR can be filed on the spot itself,” informed RO C N Sangma.