The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has filed separate complaints against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with the Election Commission for allegedly violating the “48-hour silence zone” for campaigning by making posts on social media platforms to “influence voters”. The ruling party urged the poll panel to take action against both the leaders under relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
48-hour silence zone
All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending
- with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling station.
- Section 126(1)(b) of the RP Act, 1951 prohibits all forms of campaigning and display of any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or similar apparatus in a polling area for 48 hours prior to end of poll.
- A violation entails imprisonment up to two years or fine, or both
Violation of MCC will “cause irreparable injury to the doctrine of free and fair elections”