A peeved Election Commission today asked the Centre to explain why it did not take its permission before facilitating sports persons from Manipur when the poll code is in force in view of assembly polls scheduled there for Saturday.
"Inform the Commission the reasons and circumstances under which prior permission from model code of conduct angle was not taken for organising the felicitation ceremony," the poll watchdog wrote to the Home Secretary and the Secretary, Department of Development of Northeast Region, in separate notices.
They have to respond to the show cause notice by Saturday.
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The EC pointed out that the model code came into force on January 4.
Quoting media reports, it said the event was organised on February 28 in which 11 sports persons from the northeast region, including five from Manipur, were felicitated for participating in the Rio Olympics.
The Commission feels that such events give the upper hand to the party in power during elections and disturbs the level playing field.
Minister of State Development of North-Eastern Region Jitendra Singh and the Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju were present at the event where the sports persons were felicitated.
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