EC withdraws notice to Rahul over his TV interview during Gujarat polls

NEW DELHI: Election Commission of India today withdrew the notice issued to Rahul Gandhi for violation of the 48-hour ban on campaigning after latter gave an interview to a TV channel in Gujarat on December 13.The second phase of voting on Gujarat was on December 14 and the BJP had petitioned EC that Rahul's interview was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.The Commission also directed the concerned parties to constitute a committee to examine the provisions of Section 126 of Representation of the People Act, 1951 and suggest changes to the existing Model Code of Conduct.The committee will have representation from ECI, I&B Ministry, Law & Justice, Electronics & It Ministry with representatives of NBA, PCI, among others to examine these provisions in the prevailing context of development in the field of communication technology.The committee will suggest required changes to the Model Code of Conduct in the wake of "multi-fold expansion of digital and electronic media", according to EC.The Commission also asked all the stakeholders, including political parties and media houses, for their views and to recommend appropriate modification in law and the Commission’s instructions.It also directed the committee to submit a report in this regard.Election Commission concluded by advising both, BJP and Congress , to not make mention of any election matter pertaining to area going for poll during the prohibited period of 48 hours, henceforth.