ECI bans Thakur, Verma from campaigning for 72 hours and 96 hours, respectively, in Delhi polls

New Delhi, January 31, 2020

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has barred Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma from campaigning in the Delhi Assembly elections for a certain number of hours, holding that they had violated the model code of conduct with objectionable statements.

In a statement here yesterday, the Commission said it had considered the responses received from Thakur and Singh in the context of the Show Cause Notices issued on January 28 and 29, respectively.

“The Commission is of the considered view that Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Sahib Singh have made undesirable and objectionable statements and thus violated the provisions of Model Code of Conduct and Representation of the People Act 1951.

“The Commission under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and all other powers enabling it in this behalf bars Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Sahib Singh from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, roadshows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) etc in connection with ongoing General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2020 for a period of 72 hours (for Thakur) and 96 hours (for Singh) from 5 PM on 30th January 2020 (Thursday),” it added.

The Election Commission had already passed orders on January 29 to remove both from the list of ‘Star Campaigners’ for the polls.

NNN