Election Commission seeks Sharad Pawar’s explanation over "ink" remark
EC issued a notice to Mr Pawar for asking his party workers on Sunday to vote twice in the multi-phase polling
New Delhi: NCP chief Sharad Pawar had “prima facie” violated the Model Code of Conduct by his ‘ink’ remark, the Election Commission said on Monday and asked him to explain his stand by Thursday evening failing which a decision will be taken without asking him further.
The EC issued a notice to Mr Pawar for asking his party workers on Sunday to vote twice in the multi-phase polling in Maharashtra after rubbing off the indelible ink.
“...the Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statement you have violated the ... (sub para 4 of para 1) provision of Model Code,” the EC wrote to the NCP chief.
The poll body, acting on a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, sent him a copy of the VCD carrying the speech he made. Mr Pawar had asked his party workers on Sunday “to take advantage of the multi-phase polling in the state by voting twice”.