Sharad Pawar`s controversial `ink` remark: EC expresses displeasure, asks him to be careful

A week after Union Minister Sharad Pawar requested the Election Commission to forget his controversial `ink`remark, in which he asked his party workers to vote twice in the multi-phase polling to be held in Maharashtra, the EC on Tuesday expressed its "displeasure" over it and have asked him to be careful in future.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: A week after Union Minister Sharad Pawar requested the Election Commission to forget his controversial `ink` remark, in which he asked his party workers to vote twice in the multi-phase polling to be held in Maharashtra, the EC on Tuesday expressed its "displeasure" over it and has asked him to be careful in future.
Last week, Pawar had expressed his regret to EC for the alleged confusion and misunderstanding over his `ink remark`.

Regarding his regret the EC expressed its displeasure today while asking Pawar to ensure that he does not violate the Model Code of Conduct again.
In its order on Pawar`s call to his supporters asking them to vote twice after removing the indelible ink in the multi-phase Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra, the poll panel said it was "not satisfied" with his explanation but have decided not to pursue the matter further.
The EC said Pawar`s call to voters to vote at more than one place was in violation of the law.

"The Commission is not satisfied with your explanation, but, having regard to the expression of regret in your reply, has decided not to pursue the matter further.

....The Commission conveys its displeasure to you and expects you, as a senior politician and president of a national party, to be careful in future to ensure that by words/conduct you do not violate the Model Code of Conduct," said the EC order, PTI said.

The NCP chief had expressed deep regret for the confusion and misunderstanding his controversial `ink` remark had caused and requested the Commission to treat the issue as closed.

The Commission had found that the NCP chief has "prima facie" violated the Model Code of Conduct.

The EC had issued a notice to Pawar las week while asking an explanation over the said issue.

In his reply, Pawar had said that he only emphasised that those registered in villages should vote their while those who are voters in city should exercise their franchise there.

Further Pawar stressed that he had no intention of asking anyone to vote twice and that he was only asking people not to miss their right to vote.

The Union Minister added that he had not made the statement in a political rally and neither was it a political statement.

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