CEC Rajiv Kumar issued a series of advisories to political parties warning them of serious repercussions.
In a stern message to political parties that has likely come as a response to the perception that the Election Commission of India has ceded ground to erring and motormouth politicians, the poll body on Saturday, while announcing the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections in four states, put on notice political leaders by warning them of strict action in case they do not adhere to the Model Code of Conduct.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who sources said, was getting repeated inputs and suggestions that the Election Commission was not being taken seriously by candidates, thereby leading to questions on the body’s relevance, reminiscent of the T.N. Seshan times, issued a series of advisories to the political parties warning them of serious repercussions this time if they do not conduct themselves as per the code of conduct. He stated that these “advisories” will no longer be treated as mere words.
Kumar, the 1984 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Bihar cadre, who has been a part of the Election Commission since September 2020, when he had joined the body as an Election Commissioner, made it clear that the Election Commission would not restrict itself to issuing just advisories and warnings to erring candidates and political entities but take serious punitive action against them that will go beyond notices.
Kumar, flanked by two newly appointed Election Commissioners, Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, stated that the body will not allow any hate speech by the candidates, something that has become a norm in the last few elections, as Kumar himself said.
According to him, past violations of Model Code of Conduct by candidates will also be taken up by EC in this election while deciding on the quantum of punishment for the violators. The Model Code of Conduct is divided into eight parts.
He told the media that the candidates and political parties will be asked clearly not to indulge in appeals for votes on caste and religious lines. Similarly, the candidates cannot criticise their opponents while attacking their private life. The poll body, that has been given power Constitutionally to becomes one of the most powerful bodies in the country for a few months until the time the elections are over, asked the candidates not to use social media to vilify and insult political rivals, something that has become a norm since the last two general elections.
According to Kumar, the EC was aware that the level of discourse during the campaign had fallen swiftly and the body was committed to tackle it. In the last Assembly elections, the Supreme Court of India had called the Election Commission “toothless” for failing to act against political leaders who make polarising speeches. Later, prodded by SC’s rebuke, which made the ECI realise its authority, the body had barred from campaigning four political leaders, the then Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and senior leader of Samajwadi Party, Azam Khan for varying periods, ranging from 48 hours to 72 hours.
It is expected that given Kumar’s tone and tenor on Saturday, more stringent action will be taken this time against the offending politicians. Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent meeting with his party colleagues and MPs had directed them not to indulge in any loose talk or conduct.