SEC notice to TDP for alleged MCC violation

Vijayawada: The state election commission (

SEC

) on Saturday issued a

notice

to TDP seeking an explanation on the panchayat election manifesto released by party chief N Chandrababu Naidu. The notice was served on the basis of a complaint filed by Lella Appi Reddy, state general secretary of YSRC.

TDP’s manifesto, titled ‘Telugu Desam Party Panchayat Ennikaka Manifesto-2021’ carries the caption: Pallepragati-Pancha Sutralu.

YSRC, in its complaint, said that the manifesto is about schemes and promises for the entire state and requests voters to vote for TDP sponsored candidates, thereby luring and inducing the public in violation of the

model code of conduct

(MCC). “The said publication was done after the release of the schedule and election notification. It is a violation as per the rules of MCC,” the complaint reads.

The SEC directed the state general secretary of TDP to offer the party’s response to the complaint no later than February 2 and said that the commission would initiate action in case there was no response.