SEC debars Pramila Mallik from campaigning for 48 hours
Bureau,Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC) has debarred senior BJD legislator and Government Chief whip in State Assembly, Pramila Mallik, from campaigning in the ensuing Panchayat poll for 48 hours from February 14 (10 am).
SEC Secretary R N Sahu on Sunday informed about this observation of the Commission to the Jajpur District Collector, where Mallik’s constituency is located. “The Commission disapproves of the conduct of Mallik, MLA Binjharpur, and debars her from campaigning, including interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) etc anywhere in the State of Odisha for a period of 48 hours starting from 10 am of 14.02.2022 in the ensuing general elections to Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIs), 2022,” the SEC said in the communication.
The SEC took this decision against Mallik as she had allegedly threatened voters that benefits of various schemes will not be provided to people if they do not vote for the BJD candidate in the Panchayat polls.
During the Panchayat election campaign at Zilla Parishad Zone 27 in Jajpur district last Thursday, Mallik had allegedly threatened the voters to stop their monthly old age pension, rice for Re 1 per kg and pucca houses being provided under Government schemes if they do not vote for BJD candidates. This is a violation of the model code of conduct, sources said.
Soon after a video of the speech went viral on social media, Mallik was also shown black flags by locals while she had gone campaigning in Pritipur Ranasahi area in Jajpur. On the direction of the SEC, the Jajpur Collector had earlier issued a show-cause notice to Mallik.
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