|
The Election Commission received complaint alleging that 819 Constables and 72 Sub-Inspectors were being recruited and appointed by the Government of Haryana after the model code of conduct came into force, thereby violating the model code. Thereupon, the Election Commission called for a report from the Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana. The report of the Chief Secretary of Haryana was considered by the Commission. The Commission was not fully convinced about the course of events mentioned in the report. The Commission has therefore decided to send a team of officers comprising Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Principal secretary-cum-Director in the Commission and Shri Afzal Amanullah, Special Observer of the Commission for Haryana to inquire into the matter and submit a report within three days. The team will leave for Chandigarh tomorrow.
The Commission also took cognizance of the special supplement issued by the Indian Express dated 1.1.2005 giving details of the achievements of the Government of Haryana. As these kinds of supplements after the announcement of the general elections to the State Legislative Assembly was in violation of the model code of conduct, the Commission called for a report in the matter from the Chief Secretary, Haryana. The Commission considered the report of the Chief Secretary in the matter. As the Commission was not fully satisfied with the report given by the Chief Secretary, it was decided to send a team of officers comprising Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Principal secretary-cum-Director in the Commission and Shri Afzal Amanullah, Special Observer of the Commission for Haryana to inquire into the matter and submit a report within three days. The team will leave for Chandigarh tomorrow.
Taking cognizance of the report appeared in the newspaper Dainik Bhaskar dated 26th December, 2004 wherein it was reported that on 25th December, 2004 at Batra Dharam Shala in the meeting of the workers of Indian National Lok Dal, Shri Abhay Chautala, MLA stated that the Government would be creating/releasing 10,000 jobs/posts and these would be filled up during the period from 4th February to 27th February, 2005. As the Commission felt that this statement amounts to alluring the electors by promise of government jobs and therefore constitutes bribery, the Commission has decided to issue a show cause notice to Shri Abhay Chautala as to why action shall not be taken against him for his conduct.
Further, since Shri Abhay Chautala is an important member of the Indian National Lok Dal, a recognised State party in Haryana and since the party is responsible for its members conduct, the said statement also constitutes a violation of model code of conduct by the said party as the said statement amounts to announcement of starting of new recruitments during the period of model code of conduct thereby trying to allure the electors to vote for the said Party. Accordingly, the Commission has decided to issue a show cause notice to the Indian National Lok Dal asking the party to explain as to why action should not be taken against the party for violation of the model code of conduct.
Election Commission of India New Delhi, Pausa 15, 1926 January 5, 2005
RM/AMA – 050105 Inquiry Team
|
