Poll panel says guided by Constitutional wisdom in situations involving politicians

WITH THE Opposition demanding that the Election Commission take action against Central agencies for allegedly targeting their leaders,theectuesdaysaiditwas “guided by Constitutional wisdom” in the case of political leaders facing criminal investigations.

In a statement Tuesday, a month after the schedule for the LS elections was announced, the EC said it was broadly satisfied with the way the Model Code of Conduct has been implemented so far. The EC decided to make such a statement “so that misgivings and insinuations at times coming from certain quarters, however small or limited, are addressed and stopped”, it said.

“The Commission was guided by Constitutional wisdom when presented with live situations involving political persons which have been under active consideration and orders of the courts based on criminal investigations. While the Commission remained unwaveringly committed to protection of level-playing field and campaign entitlement of political parties and candidates, it has not found it correct to take any step that could overlap or overrun legal judicial process,” the EC said.

Recently, the TMC had moved the EC, seeking transfer of the heads of Central agencies, including the NIA and the ED. A delegation of TMC MPS had submitted a complaint to the EC on April 8, alleging misuse of agencies by the central government. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the EC on March 21 after the elections were announced.

Of the 200 MCC violation complaints filed by political parties and candidates with the EC and the chief electoral officers in theonemonthsincelspollswere announced,actionhasbeentaken in 169 of the cases, the EC said.

The BJP has filed 51 complaints and action has been taken in 38 cases; 59 filed by the Congress and action taken in 51 of those, and 90 complaints filed by other parties, of which 80 cases havebeenactedupon,theecsaid.

Although “broadly satisfied” with MCC compliance, the EC statement said, “... the Commission has decided to keep under strict watch some disturbing trends andtokeepspecialtrackofcertain deviant candidates, leaders, and practices more than ever before. The Commission has specifically takenafirmstandinmatterofdignity and honour of women by issuing notices to leaders of parties who made derogatory and offensive remarks against women.”

The public has filed over 2.68 lakh complaints of MCC violations on EC’S cvigil portal and app. Of these, 92% have been resolved in less than 100 minutes, the EC said. “Because of efficacy of cvigil, there is substantial reduction in illegal hoardings, defacement of property, campaigning beyond permissible time, deployment of vehicles beyond permitted ones,” it said.