Election Commission notice to Jayalalithaa for violation of model code of conduct

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) today issued a notice to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for prima-facie violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by announcing new schemes ahead of December 4 Yercaud assembly bypoll.

The Commission asked her to reply to its notice by 5 PM tomorrow as to why action should not be initiated against her for violation of the Model Code.

Ms Jayalalithaa has been accused of announcing new schemes for development of the area where bye-elections are being held on November 28.

"The Commission has decided to afford you an opportunity to explain your stand why action should not be taken against you for the aforesaid violation of MCC. Your reply in the matter must reach the Commission by 5 PM of December 3, 2013," the EC notice said.

"The conjunctive reference to the requirements of the area as brought to your notice on one hand and assurance of meeting developmental requirements of the area by the government on the other is, prima facie, found to be in the nature of making of promise to the electorate of the poll-bound constituency.

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"The announcements so made are violative of sub para (vi) of para "II-Party in Power", of the Model Code of Conduct," the EC notice said.

DMK had also complained to the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu about the Chief Minister's announcements being violative of the Model Code and the EC issued the notice after seeking the CEO's views and after seeing the CD of her speech.

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