Nodal Officer MCC Kupwara Takes Cognisance of Reported Interception of ‘Vehicle Transporting GI Pipes Mounted With Peoples’ Conference Party Flag’

Party’s District President Asked To Submit Clarification With 2 Days

Alfaaz – The Words Desk

Srinagar: Nodal Officer Model Code of Conduct, Additional District Magistrate, Kupwara on Wednesday issued a show-cause-notice to Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Conference District President Kupwara after a vehicle allegedly mounted with party flag transporting GI (Galvanised Iron) pipes was intercepted in Villgam area.

Underscoring the stringency on impermissibility, during the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, on display of any flag, sticker etc. on commercial vehicles unless such vehicle is a vehicle being validly used for election after obtaining the requisite permit from the district election officer/returning officer and the said permit is displayed, in original, on the wind-screen of the vehicle, the Nodal Officer has maintained that his has received a report stating that a commercial vehicle mounted with a JKPC party flag, bearing no: JK09 5257 carrying 89 GI pipes was spotted at Kukroosa, tehsil Villgam, raising concerns regarding adherence to the prescribed guidelines/instructions issued by the Election Commission of India.

Maintaining that it is imperative for all political parties to adhere to the prescribed guidelines/instructions during election period to maintain the integrity of electoral process, as any deviation to these norms undermines the principles of fair and democratic elections, the Nodal Officer MCC said remarked that the spotting of the vehicle with the party flag tantamount to the clear violation of Model Code of Conduct and relevant instructions issued in this regard.

Taking cognizance of the report received the Nodal Officer’s office has as such sought a clarification from the District President of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Kupwara with an explanation within two days as to why the vehicle mounted with your party flag was transporting GI pipes ‘being a gross misconduct and amounting to clear violation of Model Code of Conduct guidelines as this kind of activity has the tendency to influence the voters.’

The Officer has further said that failure in submission of clarification may warrant the matter being forwarded to chief Electoral Officer, J&K.