Debabrata Saikia Urges Election Commission to Act Against Voter Intimidation

He urged the Election Commission to invoke relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 506, against Gogoi and ensure free and fair polling...

Digital Desk: In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, Debabrata Saikia, the leader of the opposition, has called for strict action against voter intimidation ahead of the upcoming elections. 

Saikia highlighted the case of Amarjyoti Gogoi, a Fair Price Shop owner in Barbarua GP, Nazira LAC, who allegedly circulated WhatsApp messages threatening beneficiaries with deprivation of essential benefits if they attended opposition party meetings.

He urged the Election Commission to invoke relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 506, against Gogoi and ensure free and fair polling. "Amarjyoti Gogoi's actions are a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct," he said.

The letter, dated April 4, 2024, follows an earlier complaint filed by Saikia on April 1, 2024, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue to safeguard democratic processes. Saikia further requested the immediate cancellation of Gogoi's Fair Price shop license to prevent further interference in the electoral process. "We demand justice and accountability to preserve the sanctity of the electoral process," he added.

In addition to the Chief Election Commissioner, copies of the complaint were sent to the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, the District Commissioner of Sivasagar, and the District Election Officer of Nazira for their information and necessary action.

Model code of conduct violations are evident across the nation. The ECI’s c-vigil app has already received more than 70,000 violations since the code of conduct was announced. The app's success can be attributed to its seamless integration of technology and citizen engagement. Through real-time reporting via audio, photos, or videos, coupled with a 100-minute countdown for timely responses, users can effectively document violations.