Lalu's RJD faces EC ire over audit report

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

The has warned RJD of suspending its recognition if it fails to submit its annual audit report for 2014-15 by early next month.

In its order issued on April 13, the Commission said while parties have to submit their annual audit reports each year by October 31, Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya has not submitted its records for the year 2014-15.

The last date for submitting the report was October 31, 2015.

"Now... the hereby gives you a notice to show cause as to why action should not be taken against your party under Para 16A of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) order 1968 for failure to follow the lawful directions and instructions of the Commission," the order read.

Para 16 A empowers the poll panel "to suspend or withdraw recognition of a recognised political party for its failure to observe Model Code of Conduct or follow the lawful directions and instructions of the Commission."

The EC told RJD that its written representation detailing the reasons for the "default" along with the annual audit report should reach it within 20 days from the receipt of the notice.

"In case you fail to do so within the stipulated time, your party will be liable, without any further reference to you, for action under Para 16 A...," the EC has warned.

Following a judgement, the EC has been asking parties to submit their audit reports to usher in transparency in political funding.

Several of the parties have in the past skipped fling their reports.

There are 49 recognised state parties and seven recognised national parties including the BJP, the Congress, the TMC, the BSP, the NCP, the CPI and the CPI-M.

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First Published: Mon, April 16 2018. 19:30 IST