Congress urges EC to take prompt action on its complaints

NEW DELHI: Congress accused Election Commission of doing "nothing substantial and effective" to prevent paid news, violation of model code by social media and distribution of hate material.

"We hope and trust the commission would issue order promptly, possibly today, since such issues can't be kept in limbo and allow the election period to be over, which would have serious ramifications on the conduct of fair poll," said K C Mittal, secretary of AICC's legal department, in a communication to chief election commissioner V S Sampath.

It is the second communication by the AICC to the poll panel in as many days.

After Narendra Modi's massive roadshow in Varanasi before filing of nomination, Congress alleged that "inaction by the commission" gave an opportunity to Modi and BJP to flout the law.

Drawing the EC's attention towards "issues pending" before it that were "substantially affecting the ongoing electoral process", the party said it had, in two communications on March 10 and April 8, pointed out the "misuse of religion and religious places for seeking votes".