New Delhi, Nov 22: The Election Commission Saturday slapped a notice on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its manifesto for the Madhya Pradesh polls contains photographs of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and of the Supreme Court in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The Commission received reports from the Madhya Pradesh chief election officer (CEO) Saturday that the BJP manifesto for the elections to the Madhya Pradesh assembly contains some photographs showing, among others, "certain senior serving government officers, former president of India Dr. A.P.J. (Abdul) Kalam and several government buildings including Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and Hon'ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur", the panel said in the notice.
It noted that Para 1(4) of the Model Code of Conduct specifically states that "all parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are 'corrupt practices' and whereas, obtaining assistance of government officers for furtherance of prospects of your party is a corrupt practice coming within the ambit of section 123 (7) of Representation of Peeople Act, 1951".
It reminded the BJP that "Part-VII of the Model Code of Conduct provides that the party in power shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that it has used it's official position for the purpose of its election campaign".
Noting that publishing photographs of hovt officers and government buildings are a "clear violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct", the Election Commission asked the BJP to remove these from the manifesto and submit a complaince report by Nov 24.
It also asked the party to explain by Nov 25 its move as also why action should not be taken against it.
The BJP is the ruling party in Madhya Pradesh, where polling will be held Nov 27.
--- IANS
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