ECI Advisory For LS Election Asks Parties To Avoid Using Places Of Worship For Campaigns, Lists MCC Violations

the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India has issued an advisory to political parties asking them to refrain from using places of worship for election propaganda.

Ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued an advisory to political parties, emphasising the imperative of maintaining decorum and restraint in public campaigning. This advisory comes in the wake of observed trends showcasing a decline in the quality of political discourse during recent elections, as per a statement.

The advisory shared by the ECI underscored the necessity for political parties to elevate election campaigning to issue-based debates, steering away from divisive rhetoric. The Election Commission has placed particular emphasis on star campaigners and candidates, cautioning them against both direct and indirect violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

"The Election Commission will assess any indirect MCC violations as per advisory as a fair basis to re-work the notices to be given in terms of time and content in issue in the forthcoming elections," the advisory stated.

ECI Guidelines For Political Parties And Candidates

The advisory issued by the Election Commission includes several directives aimed at upholding the integrity of the electoral process. Among these directives are prohibitions against:

- Making appeals based on caste or communal sentiments.
- Engaging in activities that exacerbate existing differences or incite mutual animosity among different groups.
- Propagating false statements or unsubstantiated allegations aimed at misleading voters.
- Criticising opponents based on unverified claims or distortions.
- Avoiding personal attacks and maintaining decorum in political discourse.
- Refraining from using places of worship for election propaganda.
- Ensuring advertisements are factual and not misleading.
- Exercising restraint on social media, avoiding posts that vilify rivals or are in poor taste.

ECI On Surrogate Violations

Recognising the evolving landscape of information technology and social media, the Election Commission has highlighted the blurring of lines between pre-MCC and the 48-hour silence period. This persistent circulation of content across multiple phases of campaigning and unrelated elections poses a challenge to maintaining the sanctity of the electoral process.

The advisory also enumerates various genres of surrogate MCC violations observed during previous elections, including the use of inappropriate language against rival campaigners, dissemination of unverified allegations, and the circulation of misleading advertisements.

The practices cited by the ECI include:

- Use of inappropriate, abusive at times, vocabulary against star campaigners of other political party(ies).
- False, unquantifiable, unsubstantiated, incorrect, and unverified allegations
- Slangs conveying divine censure/personal vilification, Use of vilifying and demeaning social media posts/ caricature crossing fine line of satire
- Presenting social media posts out of the context, often to spread misinformation or disinformation.
- Misleading advertisements in garb of news items potent with disturbing level playing field just before days of voting
- Personal attack on political rivals and ridiculing the candidates of rival parties
- State Government publishing their welfare schemes in the neighbouring poll going states at opportune time
- Attempts to lure voters, by luring registration for delivery of promises under nonexistent schemes which is often akin to bribery of voters through false promises
- Use of name of the candidate to make generalised comments against a group of voters"

The Election Commission has urged political parties, leaders, and candidates to adhere strictly to the Model Code of Conduct and the legal framework governing elections. Any attempts at surrogate or indirect violations of the MCC will be met with stern action by the Commission, it stated.