from daijiworld's special correspondent (MB)

Panaji, May 15: The Chief Electoral Officer of Goa has sent a notice to the Chief Minister's Office seeking an explanation regarding alleged violation of election code of conduct by him, officials said here on Tuesday.
 
The BJP had filed a complaint with CEO Ramesh Negi alleging that chief minister Pratapsingh Rane had misused his official residence at Altinho here for party activities.

Election commissioner Dr S Y Quraishi briefing the media at a press conference at Panaji explaining the Goan political scenario in view of the forthcoming assembly elections scheduled in early June. Also seen in the picture are chief electoral officer of Goa - Ramesh Negi and secretary - Election Commission secretary Tapas Kumar. (Pic Rajtilak Naik)

Supplementing their complaint with a CD, BJP had claimed that around 100-odd panchayat members were called by the chief minister at his official residence last week and election speeches were delivered to them during the function.

"We have issued notice to chief minister's office seeking clarification in this regard," Negi told reporters.

"We have got one side in the form of complaint, we have asked the other party (chief minister's Office) to give their opinion. Their version will come in two days," Negi told reporters in presence of Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi.

"We will view the CD and decision will be taken only after hearing both the parties," he said.
 
Quraishi said that commission adopts zero tolerance attitude regarding election code of conduct.

"Nobody is above the law and we keep on receiving complaints against anybody.... We examine them before acting on them," he said without referring direct to the complaint against Goa CM.