Congress alleges AAP making promotional calls on poll eve

The Congress on Saturday complained to the Election Commission that Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party was violating the Model Code of Conduct with automated calls during the "silence period" before polling in the city in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha election.

"The Aam Aadmi Party is still placing IVR/automated calls to voters seeking votes for its candidates and in the name of the party during the 48-hour mandatory silence period," the party said in its complaint, also attaching a screenshot identifying the phone used for making these promotional calls, and also the recording of the same call.

Varun Chopra, an advocate who represented the party in its complaints to the poll panel, said: "The aforesaid is not only a breach of the Model Code of Conduct but also leads to an uneven playing field. You are requested to immediately act against the same and take appropriate action against the Aam Aadmi Party by ensuring that no further breaches take place."

The Model Code of Conduct mandates a 48-hour mandatory silence period before polling. The same is done with the intent of ensuring that the electorate is free of any pressure, inducement, or influence of any sort before polling.

Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer was not available to comment on the complaint. IANS