On the day of polling in Chandigarh, Congress on Sunday submitted a complaint to the Election Commission against the BJP and its candidate Kirron Kher for violating the democratic rights of the citizens by releasing its manifesto just hours before the end of campaigning, which is 48 hours before the polling time.

The printing of only 100 manifesto copies thereof is also against the democratic principles of the Constitution of India and against the oath given by Kirron Kher at the time of filing her nomination, said Congress advocate Pankaj Chandgothia in the complaint.

He stated that the manifesto must be released atleast 7 days before the polling date to honour the principles of a healthy democracy.  The BJP has not obeyed the concept of democracy and deliberately delayed the release of its election manifesto to almost the last minute, to avoid any dialogue or discussion on it, which is the right of every voter. The voter has been denied his fundamental right of knowing the promises and real commitment of the concerned candidate Kirron Kher and her party, the Chandigarh unit of BJP, the complaint stated.

Notably, the Chandigarh BJP had on May 16 released its election manifesto.

The Congress’ complaint added, it is requested that the candidature of BJP candidate Kirron Kher be cancelled as she has committed grave sacrilege of the Constitution of India and Indian Democratic Principles and violation of the solemn oath given by her at the time of filing nomination.”

In another complaint submitted to the Election Commission over telecast of exit polls while the voting was in the progress, Congress said that the telecast on a news channel started at 4 pm while voting was still going on in Chandigarh and other areas of Phase 7.

Although the complaint was registered, still the exit poll program started. Upon this, the Congress raised the matter on the C- VIGIL APP

Chandigarh EC officials visited Congress advocate Pankaj Chandgothia's office in Sector 28 here and took shots of the program where the Chandigarh trends were also being discussed.

 The matter was escalated by the nodal officer to the national level. The matter is under investigation by the NGRS, Pankaj said.