Ashok Lavasa wrote thrice to EC to record minority view in poll code orders

Election commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who has recused himself from meetings where decisions pertaining to the model code of conduct are decided, wrote at least three letters to Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora to accept his demand for including minority decisions in the poll body’s final orders.

According to a person aware of the developments, Lavasa first wrote to Arora on May 4, pointing out the need for more “transparency” in deciding issues related to model code of conduct violations. Subsequently, reminders were sent on May 10 and 14, pointing out that the minority decision or dissenting views continue to be left out of the final decision of the poll panel, which are “contrary to well established conventions of multi member statutory bodies”.

Lavasa, who disagreed with the poll panel’s decision to give clean chits to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for alleged MCC violations, has decided to recuse himself from all such meetings till the commission includes minority decisions in the final orders.

A former finance secretary, Lavasa is learnt to have told the poll panel that since his demand has not been accepted, he sees no reason to participate in meetings to decide poll code violations.

The model code of conduct lays down rules for parties, candidates and governments to abide by during the election period. It starts with the announcement of the election by the poll panel and concludes with the declaration of results.