Row over British MP Keith Vaz’s campaign in Goa
February 15th, 2012 - 12:02 am ICT by IANSPanaji, Feb 14 (IANS) Poll officials in Goa have sought expert opinion from the Election Commission (EC) over British MP of Indian origin Keith Vaz campaigning here for a Congress candidate that has kicked up a controversy.
Speaking to reporters in Panaji, Joint Chief Electoral Officer N.S. Navti said that the EC had been asked to ascertain whether an elected representative of a foreign country could participate in an election campaign in India.
“We have asked the EC for an expert opinion on this matter,” Navti said.
Vaz Sunday campaigned in the Benaulim assembly constituency in South Goa district for Valanka Alemao.
Vaz’s campaigning sparked an outrage in the virtual world of internet users and Goans who complained to the British High Commission that an elected representative from Britain could not interfere in the electoral process of another country.
Vaz has however dismissed the accusations saying that his campaigning was a “personal issue”.
“The British High Commission does not control members of parliament,” he said.
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Tags: alemao, british high commission, british mp, chief electoral officer, congress candidate, constituency, control members, election campaign, election commission, electoral process, feb 14, goa district, goans, indian origin, keith vaz, members of parliament, panaji, personal issue, south goa, virtual world