THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO: Candidates contesting the Margao Municipal polls underthe banner of People’s Choice Panel for MMC has claimed alleged harassment atthe hands of the authorities.
Addressing the media outside the district Collectorate,South on Monday after a protest, Shadow
Council for Margao Convenor Savio Coutinho claimed thatthe election authorities issued a notice to candidate from ward no 3 Adv SeoulaVas, asking to showcause why action should not be taken against the candidatefor posting a video clip on Facebook.
“In the guidelines provided to the candidates, no suchmention is made with respect to social media
Posts. We have only tried to showcase all the scams thatthe SCM had fought against, in comedy video clips. It appears that the bigleaders who were involved in all these scams are disturbed and pressurizing theelection officials to harass and keep our candidates occupied and away from thecampaign field,” Coutinho charged.
In her reply, candidate, Adv Seoula Vas stated that thenotice has not alleged breach of any rule or provision pertaining to elections orModel Code of Conduct (“MCC”) as prescribed. “The notice states that there isviolation of guidelines of the MCC. However, it fails to mention what guidelineand/or what rule/provision is violated”, she said.
In such circumstances, there is no occasion to confirmany such alleged violation which does not find mention. I state that thecontents and allegations in the notice are denied in toto as there is noguideline or rule or provision in law that has been violated by me. As such, noaction in this regard may be taken against me and the SCN as against me oughtto be discharged, stated Adv Seoula.
She said she has no objection to showing true and properexpenditure in her election account and that she has no intention of escapingany expenditure liability. All election expense shall be accounted for duly asrequired in the election account book maintained by me, Adv Seoula statedfurther.
To the allegations that no certification has been takenprior to posting the video clip on Facebook, Adv Seoula stated that no suchpre-certification is required for matters of the nature as there is noprovision in law or no rule in the MCC requiring candidates to obtaincertification.
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