A First Information Report was filed against Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on the Election Commission’s orders on Monday. An official from the commission said Gogoi had violated the model code of conduct by holding a press conference in Guwahati within 48 hours of the Assembly elections – polling for phase 2 ended at 5 pm that day.
The official said Gogoi’s actions were a violation of section 126 of the Representation of People Act, which prohibits public meetings for 48 hours after any polls have been concluded. The EC believes Gogoi’s press conference may have “influenced the voters,” the official added.
Gogoi had defied a verbal order from the EC and gone ahead with his press conference earlier in the day saying, “Why doesn’t the EC serve an official letter to me to stop this press conference? I am a lawyer. If I violate rules, arrest me. I am not bothered,” Hindustan Times reported.
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