FIR Filed Against Youngest Candidate Kunki Chowdhury for Alleged Poll Day MCC Violations in Guwahati
In a significant development during the ongoing election season, a First Information Report (FIR) has been officially registered against opposition alliance candidate Kunki Chowdhury and one of her party workers. The case centers on allegations of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) rules on polling day in the Guwahati Central constituency.
Details of the Allegations and Complainant
The FIR was lodged by Naba Kumar Lahkar, a 38-year-old resident of Rehabari, Guwahati. He has accused Kunki Chowdhury and her party worker Sandeep Yadav of engaging in "grave and unlawful activities" at a polling booth. According to Lahkar, these actions directly undermine the sanctity of free and fair elections, posing a serious threat to democratic integrity.
Kunki Chowdhury, aged 27, holds the distinction of being the youngest candidate in this election cycle. She is contesting from the Guwahati Central constituency as a candidate of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), an ally of the Congress party. Her opponent is BJP's Vijay Kumar Gupta, making this a closely watched electoral battle.
Specific Violations Cited in the FIR
The complainant has outlined several specific instances of alleged misconduct. Firstly, Sandeep Yadav is accused of deliberately remaining present in the constituency despite election regulations requiring him to leave at least 48 hours prior to polling. Lahkar claims that Yadav "actively participated in election-related activities", thereby violating statutory election restrictions designed to ensure a level playing field.
More critically, the FIR alleges that on polling day, Kunki Chowdhury herself was physically present inside a polling station at Panbazar HS School. She was accompanied by approximately 5-6 individuals without lawful authority and was seen interacting with voters in a manner intended to influence their voting decisions. This, according to the complaint, amounts to undue influence and interference with the electoral process, which is strictly prohibited under election laws.
Additional Charges and Police Response
Further allegations include Kunki parking two of her vehicles inside the zone of the polling station, an action prohibited under election guidelines as it can create an environment of intimidation and undue presence. Additionally, her personal security officer was reportedly present within the polling premises without any lawful justification related to polling duty.
Lahkar also asserted that Kunki was observed moving door-to-door and engaging with voters during the prohibited period, which constitutes campaigning during the silence period. This is considered a serious violation of election laws, as it disrupts the mandated calm before voting to prevent last-minute influence.
In his complaint, Lahkar emphasized that these acts are not mere MCC violations but disclose cognizable offences. These include undue influence during elections, interference with the free exercise of electoral rights, violation of lawful election prohibitions and orders, and possible criminal intimidation through presence and conduct.
Confirming the registration of the case, Panbazar police station Officer-in-Charge Sankar Jyoti Nath stated that the FIR has been filed under charges of 'undue influence or personation at an election' and 'disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant'. These charges fall under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, as well as relevant sections of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, 1951, and 1989.
Context and Implications
This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny and enforcement of election laws in India, particularly the Model Code of Conduct, which sets guidelines for political parties and candidates to ensure ethical campaigning. The case against Kunki Chowdhury, as a young and prominent candidate, underscores the importance of adherence to these rules to maintain electoral fairness.
As the investigation proceeds, it will be closely monitored by election authorities and the public, given its potential impact on the electoral outcome in the Guwahati Central constituency. The allegations, if proven, could lead to legal consequences and affect the credibility of the electoral process in this region.
