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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stopped the election campaign of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan after Congress registered a complaint alleging that the BJP leader has violated provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, sources said on Wednesday.
ECI directs strict adherence to no campaigning beyond 6 PM in polling areas. According to sources, a representation was received in the Commission from the Congress on Wednesday complaining that in a large election advertisement published by the BJP in newspapers across Madhya Pradesh, it has been publicised that Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP Candidate and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh will be speaking/interacting with all the brothers and sisters of Madhya Pradesh at 5.30 pm today. In its representation, Congress has complained that Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the BJP's election speech scheduled for 5:30 pm shall be in violation of the Silence period since there is no time limit provided to the speech, it cannot be allowed to be publicized in the remaining constituencies where the Silence Period shall be in effect from 6 pm. "On the basis of the said representation, the Commission has issued directions to the Chief Electoral Officer, Madhya Pradesh to take necessary steps to ensure that no campaigning takes place in the polling area after the commencement of the scheduled silence period i.e. 6 PM onwards today per the provisions of section 126(1)(b) of the RP Act 1951," sources said. As per Section 126(1)(b) of the R. P. Act, 1951, no person shall display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus in any polling area during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll for any election in that polling area. Wednesday is the last day of campaigning for the second phase of Chhattisgarh and the single-phased Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections. (ANI)
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