Shillong, Feb 26: The Election Commission on Sunday issued a show cause notice to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) for a social media post which violated the 48-hour ‘silence period’.

The notice issued by Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), FR Kharkongor, to the president of the Meghalaya Pradesh Trinamool Congress said that the party had violated section 126 (1) (b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by posting an appeal for vote in favour of TMC on the “Meghalaya Deserves Better” Facebook page and Instagram at 22:17 hours on February 25, 2023.

The video post is as titled “TMC is the only credible alternative”.

“Whereas, section 126 (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 states that any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine, or with both. Therefore, an opportunity is provided to you to take corrective action at the earliest and explain your party’s stand for the said violation,” the CEO said.

The party had been directed to submit its explanation by 5 pm on February 26.

The Election Commission has vide its notification dated January 18 fixed hours of poll from 7 am to 4pm on February 27, and accordingly the 48 hours ‘silence period’ started from 4 pm on February 25.

Section 126 (1)(6) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus in polling area during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area.

Further, sub-section (3) of said section 126 explain the ‘election matter’ means any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election, the notice said.