After BJP leader and Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tendered “unconditional apology”, the Election Commission has reduced his ban period to 24 hours from 48 hours.

Assam BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma tendered an “unconditional apology” to the Election Commission on Saturday (April 3).

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Himanta Biswa Sarma further ‘assured’ the Election Commission of abiding by the Model Code of Conduct in the future.

In his apology BJP leader and Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated: “…accept my sincere regret and assurance of abiding by MCC (Model Code of Conduct) in future…”

“…be further pleased to reduce the period of debarment from election campaign from 48 hours to 24 hours,” Assam BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma added in his ‘apology’ letter to the Election Commission.

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Himanta Biswa Sarma pleaded before the Election Commission to reduce his ban period on the grounds that he himself is a candidate in the constituency which is scheduled for polls in the third phase of Assam Assembly elections on April 6.

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Following Himanta Biswa Sarma tendering apology to the Election Commission, the Election Commission “reduced the period of debarment from election campaign from 48 hours to 24 hours”.

“The Commissison, having considered your aforesaid unconditional apology and assurance/undertaking, in the above mentioned representation, has decided to modify its Order dated 2nd April, 2021 and reduce the period of debarment from election campaign from 48 hours to 24 hours,” the Election Commission stated in the letter to Assam BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Earlier on Friday, the Election Commission had banned Himanta Biswa Sarma from election campaign for 48 hours.

Himanta Biswa Sarma was barred by the Election Commission for his remarks against BPF leader Hagrama Mohilary in an election campaign rally during the ongoing Assam Assembly elections.

Also read: Assam Assembly elections: Major setback for BJP, Election Commission bans Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning

The Election Commission in its notification on April 2 stated that Himanta Biswa Sarma submitted his reply to the show cause notice, issued earlier on Friday, denying the allegations.

The Election Commission considered the reply submitted by Assam BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma as “not found to be satisfactory”.