ECI issues 10 point warning to Congress, BJP over concerns of campaigning misconduct

ECI issues 10 point warning has been issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to the BJP and the Congress after blatant disregard for the Model Code of Conduct were reported in their campaigns.

This has been brought forth after both the parties filed complaints against each other, marking down rhetorics being promoted by Prime Minster Narendra Modi and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. 

The Congress had flagged PM Modi’s allegations that the Opposition party wanted to redistribute the general public’s wealth among Muslims, and that they would not even spare ‘mangalsutra.’ The BJP had, on the other hand, complained about Rahul Gandhi’s assertion that the party was seeking to push for one nation, one language and one religion. 

The commission’s subsequent notices to both parties do not name the Prime Minister or Rahul Gandhi, holding Nadda and Kharge responsible for their words.

The directives issued stated, “India’s socio-cultural milieu is an enduring preserve and cannot be made a casualty to elections.”

It was stressed that BJP and Congress must not compromise the integrity of India’s electoral vote. BJP President JP Nadda and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge were both instructed to issue these warnings to their campaigners and to ‘maintain decorum and exercise caution’ in their public discourse. The ECI also commented on the increasingly steep drop in the quality of the recent election campaigning, noting that the ‘party in power’ holds extra responsibility to uphold electoral traditions during elections. 

Specifically, the BJP has been warned against using religious and communal discourse in their campaign speeches and an immediate halt has been issued for any rhetoric that could potentially divide society along communal lines. In the letter to Nadda, the commission said that it expects BJP to maintain conduct, “as the ruling party at the Centre to fully align the campaign methods to the practical aspects of the composite and sensitive fabric of India.”

Congress has also been cautioned against making statements that may create false impressions, in response to their claims that the Constitution of India could be abolished or sold. It has also directly asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to refrain from politicising the armed sources, citing his assertion that the Opposition INDIA bloc would abolish Agniveer scheme if elected. They have been warned against making any statements that could divide or aggravate socio-economic composition, mainly in relation to the defence forces. 

“Elections are a process when political parties not only contest to win, but also avails the opportunity to present themselves in their ideal best for the voting community to experience, emulate and build hopes on. The second part constitutes the more precious heritage of Indian elections and our electoral democracy and this should not be allowed to be weakened by anyone, including your party,” the commission said. 

It added, “Elections are periodic exercises, they come and go, but political parties like yours endure; even more enduring preserve is India’s socio-cultural milieu; Political parties are in the task of nurturing leaders for the country for present and future. They cannot afford to be lax in any manner in enforcing discipline and conduct among the cadre in the high stake electoral space; especially with reference to senior members.”

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