EC cautions over religious remarks

The Election Commission has asked political parties to refrain from sidestepping provisions of model code of conduct and raking up religious issues during campaigning for polls.

In a letter written to the chiefs of all political parties, the poll body has pointed out that during bypolls, leaders tend to issue appeals on religious or communal grounds in areas which are not covered under provisions of the model code of conduct.

In this manner they avoid violating its provisions.

In the letter to all recognised national and state parties, the commission has said that such far reaching implications as this would certainly influence the minds of electors of the Assembly or Parliamentary constituency where the bypolls are going on and, thus spoil the free and fair elections in that constituency.

The EC has requested political parties to advise

The Model Code of Conduct is a set of norms which has been evolved with the consensus of political parties their leaders and cadre to “refrain from making such appeals as intend to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the society.”

Such statements should not be made at any time throughout the country, the letter said.

It further said that special care must be taken on use of words even in the areas where model code is not in force in order that the purity of election process is maintained and no ill feeling is generated among the general public which is essential for conducive atmosphere for conducting free, fair and peaceful elections.

The Model Code of Conduct is a set of norms which has been evolved with the consensus of political parties in India who have consented to abide by the principles embodied in it.