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Rediff.com  » News » Parties keep tabs on each other for poll violations

Parties keep tabs on each other for poll violations

Source: PTI
November 13, 2008 17:53 IST
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Candidates in the fray for the November 29 Delhi assembly polls, beware. The Election Commission is not alone in keeping a watch on your 'conduct' during campaigns.

Legal cells of political parties too are keeping an eye on the campaign of rival candidates, eager to bring to the Election Commission's notice even a slightest breach by the opponents.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has already directed its legal cell members to spread out across the city and keep a tab on the campaign of other party candidates, particularly its main rival Congress.

"Our job will be to single out violations, if any, by the candidates of rival parties," senior advocate Ajay Digpaul from the BJP's legal cell told PTI.

He said though the candidates have their own lawyers to advise, there are chances that over-enthusiastic candidates may cross the limits set by the Election Commission.

"For instance, we will keep a tab on candidates if they are violating the model code of conduct by enforcing any benefits or favours directly or indirectly to lure the electorate and soliciting their votes, or committing any other irregularity," Digpaul said.

The Congress too has roped in lawyers affiliated to its legal cell at the All India Congress Committee headquarters for the job.

"We had put two lawyers on the job for helping our candidates file affidavits and nomination papers.

"As the campaign is in full swing, our advocates are also working full time, scanning the speeches, TV and print advertisements of the opponent parties to pick a slightest fault," Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president J P Agarwal said.

For instance, the Code clearly says no party shall permit its followers to make use of any individual's land, building, compound wall etc without permission for pasting posters, writing slogans etc.

The EC has also set guidelines for issuing TV and print advertisements by the parties during election time.

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