In its notice for Karnataka, the Election Commission of India (ECI) also mentioned that such advertisements amount to violations of the Model Code of Conduct. ECI also directed the Karnataka government to explain the circumstances which led to the violation of the Model Code of Conduct
Right ahead of the much awaited assembly polls scheduled on November 30 in Telangana , the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday issued a notice to the Karnataka government for advertising its achievements on newspapers in the poll-bound southern state. In its notice, ECI also mentioned that such advertisements amount to violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
It has been reported that the apex poll body has sought a reply to its notice by 5 pm on November 28.
According to EC, issue was brought to their notice by the BJP and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
As per media reports, ECI directed the Karnataka government to explain the circumstances which led to the violation of the Model Code of Conduct and also firmly asked them stop any such adverstisments with immediate effect.
In its notice, the poll body cited its instruction from October where it explicitly mentioned that the non-poll going states must obtain neccessary approvals from the Commission before publish advertisments in newspapers of circulated in poll-bound states.
In light of the mentioned advertisement controversy, the poll body also raised question on why disciplinary action was not taken against the Secretary-in-charge of the Department of Information and Public Relations in Karnataka for violating the procedure.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had withdrawn the permission it gave to the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government in Telangana regarding disbursements of financial aid to farmers for growing their rabi crops under the Rythu Bandhu scheme.
The poll body had said a state minister violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by making a public statement on the initiative.