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EC cracks the whip; cases filed in Rohtak

Special Correspondent

FIRs against BJP candidate, Congress workers

CHANDIGARH: The Returning Officer of the Rohtak Parliamentary constituency, Rakesh Gupta, has, on the directions of the Election Commission, got First Information Reports lodged against the BJP candidate, Abhimanyu, and four Congress workers for violating the Model Code of Conduct. Mr. Gupta, who is the Deputy Commissioner of Rohtak, said that cases had been registered against the BJP and the District Congress Committee (Urban).

According to an official release here, the Adviser to the Election Commission, K. J. Rao, and Secretary, A. K. Majumdar, had visited the Rohtak district on Saturday to investigate a complaint lodged by various political parties with the Commission relating to violation of the Model Code of Conduct in the constituency. They visited certain areas in Rohtak city and interacted with people.

They saw that hoardings, banners and posters had been put up at several places in favour of the BJP candidate. Similarly, some Congress workers had put up posters to welcome the Chief Minister. While taking these as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Mr.Rao and Mr.Majumdar directed registration of cases under Section 3 and 4 of Defacement of Property Act,1996 and Section 188 of Indian Penal Code.

The Returning Officer has also issued notices to the district unit presidents of Congress and BJP to remove these hoardings, banners and posters within 24 hours. They have been asked to clear their position regarding the violation of Model Code of Conduct. Their replies would be forwarded to the Election Commission.

Mr. Rao also directed the Deputy Commissioner to convey his directions to the Deputy Commissioners of the adjoining districts of Sonepat, Bhiwani, Rewari and Jhajjar to ensure implementation of Model Code of Conduct in their respective areas.

The Election Commission has directed that all programmes of the Chief Minister and Ministers in the district should be videographed and a complete ban has been imposed on putting up any hoarding in the five districts falling in the Rohtak Parliamentary Constituency.

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