Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Jalandhar by-poll: Congress candidate Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary flags model code violations to EC
Babushahi Bureau
Jalandhar, March 29, 2023: Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary, the Congress candidate for the upcoming Jalandhar Lok Sabha by-election, on Wednesday wrote to the Election Commission of India flagging several potential violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
In her letter to Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri Rajiv Kumar, Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary pointed out three potential MCC violations by the Government of Punjab, namely, the transfer of several IPS, PCS, and PPS officers posted in the Jalandhar Parliamentary constituency area, the display of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's photos on the Aam Aadmi Clinics, and the publication of government advertisements in print, electronic, and social media.
She wrote that the transfer orders appeared “to have been passed to favor the ruling party during the Lok Sabha by-poll” and urged the Chief Election Commissioner to declare the orders void and maintain the status quo ante.
Karamjit Chaudhary also requested the removal of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's photos from the Aam Aadmi Clinics and the removal of the words 'Aam Aadmi' from the clinic names. Additionally, she requested that no government advertisement should be published in any media until the by-election is concluded.
Commenting on the letter, Karamjit said, "the Model Code of Conduct must be enforced in letter and spirit to ensure a free and fair election. The violations by the Government undermine the democratic process and public confidence in the impartiality of the electoral system. I urge the Election Commission to take immediate action to address these violations."
She further said the Congress party was committed to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the upcoming by-election in Jalandhar was conducted transparently and fairly.