EC asks TV channels to stop airing Rahul''s interviews

New Delhi, December 13

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Gujarat to lodge FIRs against TV channels that aired Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi’s interview as "it violated the law".

It also issued a notice to Gandhi.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

In a press statement this evening, the poll panel said Gandhi, the Congress president-elect, talked about the Gujarat Assembly elections in which the polling for the second phase will be held tomorrow.

"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 today 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.

'Threats'

The Congress however accused the Bharatiya Janata Patry of threatening journalists in Gujarat for airing the interview.

In a press conference held earlier in the day, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that some journalists were receiving threats from high-level state BJP functionaries who were telling the mediapersons that they would be jailed for violating the Model Code of Conduct.

"We appeal to the Election Commission to take notice of it. It is for the EC to decide whether an action is a violation of Model Code of Conduct or not," Surjewala said.

"For the record, in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also gave an interview to a channel a day prior to voting. If that was not violation of Model Code of Conduct, how could Rahul Gandhi's interview be?" he added.

The Congress leader also pointed out the BJP releasing its manifesto a day ahead of the first phase of polling in the state on December 9.

Some local news channels in Gujarat telecast Rahul Gandhi's interview on Wednesday. The second phase polling in the state is scheduled for Thursday. PTI/IANS

In threatening media houses, BJP is attempting to usurp the role of the Election Commission. We urge the EC to take action and uphold the sanctity of its institution. pic.twitter.com/SKbuoZ9Cqa

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 13, 2017