New Delhi: The Election Commission appears to be divided on the issue of serving notice to Congress President Sonia Gandhi on a disqualification complaint against her for receiving a Belgian honour.

The Commission, which met today to consider a Presidential reference on the complaint seeking her disqualification from Parliament for receiving the Order of Leopold from the Belgium government, concluded without taking any decision.

The three-member Commission, which takes decisions by consensus, could not come to a conclusion on the issue because of reported differences among them on whether to issue notice to Gandhi.

While one of the members felt there was nothing wrong in issuing a notice to Gandhi seeking her comments before disposing of the matter, another felt there was absolutely no need for it.

Under the Constitution, the EC gives its opinion to the President on such complaints which is binding. The Commission may meet again tomorrow to consider the matter.

Gandhi was conferred the `Order of Leopold , the second highest civilian award in Belgium, and an honorary doctorate by the Belgian government during her visit to the European country in November, 2006.

The petitioner, an advocate from Kerala, contended that receiving of the Belgian honour amounted to owing allegiance to the Constitution of that country.

Source : PTI