EC issues notice to Rahul Gandhi over interview before poll, prohibits broadcast

New Delhi, December 14: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has been issued a notice by the Election Commission, for his TV interview in Gujarat. According to Election Commission’s guidelines, the media are not supposed to air anything related to the polls after 5 pm of December 12.

“Such display falls within the definition of election matter” under Section 126 (3) of Representation of the People Act, 1951 and display of such election matter within 48 hours ending with hour fixed for conclusion of poll in the poll-going areas, amounts to violation of Section 126 (1)(b) of Representation of the People Act, 1951,” it said.

The statement said after due deliberations, the EC has directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat “to initiate necessary action by filing FIR against those who have violated the above mentioned provisions in phase two districts in Gujarat”.

“Further, those TV channels which are violating the provisions of Section 126 (1)(b] by displaying said election matter in phase two district in Gujarat have been directed to forthwith stop the display of such matter,” it said.

The EC said it had Wednesday received reports and complaints that some of the TV channels in Gujarat have displayed interview given by Gandhi in which he had talked about the state elections.