CODE OF CONDUCT

EC censures Kejriwal for his 'bribery' speech in Goa

arvind-kejriwal-questions [File] The poll panel said Kejriwal had violated the model code of conduct and promoted the offence of bribery | PTI

The Election Commission has censured Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for his speech in Goa where he allegedly asked voters to take bribes from everyone, but vote for his party. 

The poll panel said Kejriwal had violated the model code of conduct and promoted the offence of bribery to the electors during a public meeting at Mapusa on January 8.

Kejriwal in his representation before the commission had said that he neither offered any bribe nor had enticed the electors. However, the commission did not find his reply “convincing.” 

The commission in its order issued on Saturday said, “...you have called upon the electors not only to refuse to accept this time Rs 5000 but ask for Rs 10000 when BJP workers come to distribute money in election time, citing price hike and to take new currency notes.”

These statements fall within the ambit of abatment of offence of bribery as defined in the section 171 B of IPC and thus violation of Model Code of Conduct, it said. 

The panel also reminded Kejriwal that even during the Delhi Assembly elections in 2015, it had warned him to to be careful in future for any repeat violation of the model code of conduct. 

The commission expressed its “anguish” that Kejriwal as the chief minister of Delhi and a star campaigner of the AAP was expected to conduct in an exemplary manner in election campaigns, yet he violated the orders.

“You may also note that in case of similar violation of model code of conduct in future, the Commission shall take stern action against you and your party, using all powers available to it,” the order stated.

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Topics : #Arvind Kejriwal

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