BJP, Cong flouting SEC guidelines on star campaigners: RTI activist

Gandhinagar: A right to information (RTI) activist has written to the State Election Commission (SEC), alleging that the BJP and Congress have flouted its guidelines by submitting list of a higher number of star campaigners for the local body elections.RTI activist Santoshsinh Rathod stated that while the Congress has submitted a list of 40 star campaigners, the BJP has submitted a list of 80 star campaigners to the SEC. According to the SEC guidelines, national political parties can submit a list of a maximum of 20 star campaigners for local body elections, Rathod stated. "The BJP submitted four separate lists of 20 star campaigners for different regions. Six names are common in each list. Meanwhile, the Congress' list is double the permitted number of star campaigners. AAP submitted a list of 20 star campaigners. I have requested the SEC to take appropriate action in the matter so that all parties are assured an equal opportunity," he added.