EC issues notice to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for poll code violation

GUWAHATI: Election Commission of India has issued a notice to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeking explanation for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during campaigning in the five assembly constituencies in the state.
The commission has asked Sarma to submit his reply by 5pm on Tuesday.
The commission’s notice is based on complaints by Debabrata Saikia, Congress leader of opposition in the assembly, and Bhupen Kumar Borah, state Congress president.
They alleged that Sarma have made several announcements at various election meetings held in Bhabanipur, Thowrah and Mariani assembly constituencies for establishing medical college, bridges, roads, high schools, stadium, sports complex etc.
They further alleged that Sarma had also made announcement for giving financial assistance to self-help groups of tea garden workers and for development projects in the constituencies.
The commission in its notice stated, that after “going through the English transcripts of your speeches, received from concerned district election officers through chief electoral officer, Assam, it is confirmed that you have made promises and announcements while making the following statements, while addressing the gatherings at various places in the constituencies.”