Taking cognisance of a complaint lodged by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Election Commission on Monday served a notice on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly instigating people in Goa to take bribes for voting. He has been asked to furnish reply by January 19.
Noting that the Model Code of Conduct was in place in Goa for the coming elections, the EC said it had received an online complaint from the BJP alleging that he had instigated the public to take bribe for voting and thereby abetted the offence of bribery during the electoral process. He gave the statements in question at a public meeting in Goa’s Mapusa on January 8.
Quoting the purported utterances, the EC said the Model Code of Conduct provided that the parties and candidates should avoid all activities which were “corrupt practices” under the Representation of the People Act, an offence under the election law.
Stating that his statements amounted to abetting and promoting electoral offence of bribery within the meaning of Section 171B and 123 (1) of the Representation of the People Act, read with Section 171E of the Indian Penal Code, the EC said it was prima facie of the opinion that by making such statements, he had violated the Model Code.
Mr. Kejriwal has been asked to respond by January 19 as to why action should not be taken against him.
