Four parties guilty of model code violation: EC

Bhopal, Apr 22 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) today held four parties -- BJP, Congress, GGP and SP -- guilty of violation of the model code of conduct during campaigning for the prestigious Budhni bypoll in Madhya Pradesh.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is contesting as a BJP candidate from Budhni.

EC Director (Administration), who visited Budhni recently, told UNI over telephone that more than prescribed limit of banners, posters and vehicles had been used for campaigning.

He said new poll observers -- Mr D Nandan and Mr Atul Dikshit -- have reached Budhni.

Following complaints of the violation, the EC had deputed Mr Agrawal to inquire into the matter.

A decision to postpone the polling date from April 24 to May 3 was taken yesterday. Earlier, the EC had transferred the Sehore district collector and the Superintendent of Police on the basis of the report.

On whether Mr Advani's 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra' will be allowed to pass through Budhni on April 27 in view of postponing of the bypoll, Mr Agrawal said a decision will be taken on the basis of report of the poll observers.

As per the earlier programme, polling had to take place on April 24 and counting on April 27. The poll process would have ended on May 2.

As per the changed programme, polling will be held on May 3 and the election process will end on May 10.

A total of 16 candidates are in the fray from the seat. Congress has fielded Mr Rajkumar Patel, while the GGP and the SP have fielded Mr Gulzar Singh Markam and Mr Narmada Prasad respectively.

Rest are contesting as independents.

UNI SD-PS YA HT1905