EC to state poll body chiefs: Take prompt action on Model Code of Conduct violations

The Election Commission on Saturday asked Chief Electoral Officers of all states to take instant and prompt action in cases of violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and other poll-related offences.

This action came in the wake of recent inflammatory remarks and violations of poll norms by political leaders, including Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Amit Shah.

The EC banned both Khan and Shah from addressing any public rallies in Uttar Pradesh after they made "highly inflammatory speeches" during election campaigns in the state in recent weeks.

This action was taken to prevent the two leaders from disrupting the poll atmosphere and hurting religious sentiments.

The Commission had already issued a notice to Amit Shah, also a close aide of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, for his 'revenge' remarks made in the riot-hit district of Muzaffarnagar and had asked him to explain his conduct by April 9.

Earlier, the state police had filed a case against Shah for allegedly saying that the parliament polls were elections for honour and to take revenge for the insult heaped on them. The BJP leader also added that it was an election to teach a lesson to those who did injustice.

Azam Khan too stirred a controversy earlier this week when he said that Muslim soldiers helped India win the 1999 Kargil War against Pakistan, and not Hindu soldiers.

His remark was seen as an attempt to polarise voters a day before Uttar Pradesh was set to go to polls.