EC TOLD TO SPELL OUT STAND ON MANIFESTOS

The Hyderabad High Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission to spell out its stand on a PIL that sought to direct political parties to adhere to their manifestos and for candidates to give a written assurance while filing the nomination papers that they would ensure its implementation if they came to power.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice S.V. Bhatt was dealing with the PIL by citybased chartered accountant Mr. M. Narayana Charyulu.

He submitted that the Supreme Court in S. Subramanyam Balaji vs The Govt of Tamil Nadu and others had passed a directive to implement the guidelines contained in part/chapter VIII of the Model Code of Conduct of the Election Commission.The bench pointed out that the Apex Court had issued the order in 2013 and asked the petitioner why he was moving court now. The petitioner Mr. Charyulu replied that the TS Assembly elections were scheduled on December 7, and the EC would issue the notification of the elections on November 12.

He urged the court to direct the EC to make suitable amendments in the nomination forms so that the candidates give an undertaking that they would implement the manifesto.

Mr Charyulu also directed political parties to submit copies of their parties' manifesto to the court.

The bench posted the case to Monday.