Model Code violation: 93 complaints registered in Haryana

Chandigarh, Apr 3: As many as 93 complaints, have been registered in Haryana over violation of Model Code of Conduct by various political parties and candidates during campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections.

Of these, 14 pertain to paid news, Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer, Shrikant Walgad said here today. The Election Department had issued notices to the concerned candidates, including the 14 against whom paid news complaints have been registered, Walgad said, adding that they have been asked to respond to the notices.

"If the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee does not feel satisfied with the answer given by the candidate, such news would be treated as advertisement, and the expenditure incurred would be added to the election expenditure of candidate. Action is also being taken on 79 other complaints," he said.

Walgad said arrangements were being made for the Lok Sabha elections to be held in the state on April 10.

"Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are distributing Elector's Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to all voters. Besides, facilitation centres are being set up at all polling stations on the day of polling, and those electors who have not received their EPIC, could get it from the facilitation centres," he said.

The EC has decided that those electors who are not able to produce the EPIC, can produce alternative photo identity documents for establishing their identity, he said.

PTI