NEW DELHI: Taking cognizance of a sting operation by a Hindi TV channel, the Election Commission (EC) Saturday asked the authorities in Uttar Pradesh to register complaints against candidates caught on camera taking bribes for their poll expenditure.
India TV Thursday telecast the sting 'Operation MLA' in which it was alleged that some of the candidates belonging to various political parties were taking bribes from corporates, allegedly for the purpose of their expenditure in the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh elections.
Taking a note of the contents of the sting, the EC has called for its transcript and after analysing it ordered registration of complaints against the culprits.
"Any attempt to obtain or procure gratification for exercising any electoral right, including right to stand or not to stand at election, is offence of bribery under IPC (Indian Penal Code). Therefore, the district electoral officers have been asked to file complaint against the persons who were seen to be involved in such acts for the offence," said a statement issued by the EC.
The commission reiterated its appeal to all the political parties, whose functionaries were named in the sting operation, to inquire into the matter and advise all their functionaries to refrain from such activities in the current elections.
The commission has also instructed its officials in the state that any attempt to bribe any voter should be dealt with firmly.
"The liquor production, sale and distribution shall be monitored everyday and any illicit liquor shall be seized. The movement of unaccounted cash in the constituency is to be monitored and seized," it added.