E C issues notice to Arun Jaitley

The Election Commission issued notice to senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley for violating the model code of conduct by using his official pad bearing the national emblem to appeal to people to vote for a BJP candidate fighting elections from the national capital.

The Election Commission on Friday issued notice to senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley for violating the model code of conduct by using his official pad bearing the national emblem to appeal to people to vote for a BJP candidate fighting elections from the national capital.

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Asking why action should not be taken against him, the Election Commission has called for an explanation as to why the Rajya Sabha MP and the BJP general secretary issued such an appeal on his letterhead bearing the national emblem.

Jaitley had distributed the appeal to electors of Vishwas Nagar area in east Delhi to vote for BJP candidate Om Prakash Sharma.

Explaining why the notice was issued to Jaitley, the commission said that the model code of conduct comes into effect as soon as the elections were announced in Delhi.

Jaitley was issued the notice under section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 that does not allow the use of the national emblem, national flag or religious symbols in electioneering.

The Commission issued the notice after it received a complaint.

"If no reply is received by the stipulated time, it will be presumed that he has no explanation to give in the matter and the Commission will take appropriate action without giving any further opportunity to him in the matter," the statement issued in New Delhi said.

Elections in Delhi are slated for on Saturday.