Another notice issued to State Government for violation of poll code
Hyderabad, May 12, 2008Acting on the preliminary enquiry by the Chief Electoral Officer of the State, the Election Commission of India on Monday issued a notice to the Minister for Agriculture, N Raghuveera Reddy on the charges of certain derogatory remarks made against it. A separate notice has been issued to the State Government for certain reported decisions that would have impact on the the upcoming by elections that tantamount to violation of Model Code of Conduct.
The EC has given time to both the State Government and Raghuveera Reddy to clarify their positions before Wednesday. In the notice issued to the minister, the Commission said it is of the prima facie view that the statement attributed to him amounts to gross interference in the functioning of Election Commission of India. Raghuveera Reddy made some derogatory remarks about the Commission with the grant of permission to conduct the Rythu Chaitanya Yatra to generate awareness among farmers about the pro-farmer measures adopted by the current dispensation.
Acting on the preliminary report submitted by the Chief Electoral Officer, the Commission on the complaints about the Chief Minister, Dr.YS Rajasekhara Reddy taking decisions that could impact the upcoming by polls in the State. According to the ECI, the report showed that the State Government had not issued any informal orders on any of the decisions it had taken since the Moral Code of Conduct came into force, wide publicity was given to the decision of the Ministers themselves. The ECI in a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary said that when the Moral Code of Conduct is in force in the 10 districts of the State, any announcement about any concession of a new policy which are capable of influencing the voters in the districts where by polls are due without the prior consultation of the ECI. The EC directed the Chief Secretary to come to Delhi on May 16 for discussions on the conduct of the elections. The CEO will also be there in the meeting according to sources.
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