SEC to Saamana: Explain code of conduct violation complaint by BJP in 3 days

BJP claimed that Shiv Sena is likely to misuse its mouthpiece to woo electorate by publishing [political] advertisements in the last leg of the civic polls, so its publication should be banned on February 16, 20 and 21...

In a letter despatched on Thursday evening, the State Election Commission (SEC) has asked the management of Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana to clear its stand in the next three days on the complaint it received from Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has sought a ban on publication of the newspaper for three days during the elections alleging that the Sena could misuse it for campaigning, which the party claimed would further violate the election code of conduct.

State Election commissioner JS Saharia said that Saamana management has been given three days to explain its stand. (HT file)

BJP spokesperson Shweta Shalini had recently lodged a complaint with the SEC claiming violation of the code of conduct by the newspaper for publishing advertisements [political in nature] in its Ahmednagar edition despite code of conduct being imposed in the wake of the first phase of the civic polls held on Thursday. The SEC clarified that there was no scope or provision in the law for banning any newspaper for such reasons.

“The newspaper has been asked to clarify its stand on the complaint regarding the violation of the SEC guidelines on publishing [political] advertisements. We have not said anything about the demand seeking ban on the newspaper, as there is no such provision. The newspaper has to submit its say in the next three days,” said an SEC official.

State Election commissioner JS Saharia told HT, “We have sought Saamana’s explanation on the points raised by the BJP. The further course of action will be decided once they clear their stand.”