Shillong, Apr 15 : Taking cognizance of an advertisement published in a prominent English daily in favour of the United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate even after the campaigning for the two LS seats in the state ended, the Meghalaya Election department on Wednesday slapped show-cause notices to the regional party and the editor the daily.
The front-page advertisement published on Wednesday called upon the people to "vote" for UDPs John Kharshiing, who is also backed by the NCP and the BJP.
The election department said the advertisement amounts to violation of model code as it was published a day after campaigning for the two seats in the state ended.
Returning Officer Bhalang Dhar said the show-causes were served to the publisher of the advertisement general secretary of the UDP R A Lyngdoh and the editor of the newspaper, asking them to reply by 10 am tomorrow.
"If we are convinced that they violated the model code intentionally, we will have to intimate the Election Commission which will draw out the necessary proceedings against them," Mr. Dhar said.