The Election Commission took action against the Pandabeshwar MLA for his speech threatening those who voted for BJP.
The Election Commission took action against the Pandabeshwar MLA for his speech threatening those who voted for BJP.
The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday barred Trinamool Congress MLA Narendranath Chakraborty from campaigning for seven days from 10 am on Wednesday for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the bypolls in West Bengal.
The Election Commission took action against the MLA from Pandabeshwar constituency for his speech threatening those who voted for BJP. Mr Chakraborty had denied the allegations against him in response to the show cause notice issued to him by the poll panel.
However, the Election Commission found his statement to be a “threat to the voters/voters” and “potential to interfere with the free exercise of the electoral right to vote”. It was found that the MLA had violated the provisions of the MCC and the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Indian Penal Code. Condemning him for the statement, the Election Commission barred him from any public gatherings, processions, rallies, road shows, interviews and public speeches (in electronic, print and social media) till 8 pm on 6 April.
The Election Commission on Tuesday wrote to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, ordering registration of an FIR under relevant provisions for the MLA’s speech.
On March 12, the Election Commission had announced by-elections to the Asansol parliamentary seat and Ballygunge assembly constituency to be held on April 12.