New Delhi, Mar 01: As the 2024 General Elections draw nearer, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a firm warning to political parties regarding the need to maintain decorum in public campaigning. The ECI stressed that any direct or indirect violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) would result in strict consequences.
In a recent advisory, the ECI highlighted the importance of conducting elevated discourse and issue-based debates in political campaigns.
The commission particularly cautioned star campaigners and candidates against employing known tactics to bypass MCC regulations, emphasizing that any violations would be thoroughly investigated, with repeated offenses facing heightened penalties.
The advisory outlined various forms of indirect MCC violations observed in previous elections, including the use of abusive language, false allegations, personal attacks, and misleading advertisements.
The ECI emphasized the significance of refraining from activities that could stoke communal tensions or demean opponents, both in traditional campaign platforms and on social media.
While acknowledging the evolving landscape of election campaigning, particularly in the realm of social media, the ECI underscored the imperative for all parties, leaders, and candidates to strictly adhere to the MCC and legal framework.
It urged political stakeholders to uphold integrity and dignity throughout the electoral process, emphasizing that any attempts to undermine the MCC would be met with resolute action.
The advisory to political parties, candidates, and star campaigners highlights several key points: avoiding appeals to caste or communal sentiments, refraining from making false statements or misleading voters, focusing criticism on public activities rather than private life, and avoiding personal attacks against rivals.
It also emphasizes the importance of respecting places of worship, honoring the dignity of women, refraining from publishing unverified or misleading advertisements, and abstaining from sharing social media content that vilifies or insults rivals.
Additionally, the advisory outlines various genres of indirect or surrogate MCC violations observed in previous elections, including the use of inappropriate language against rival campaigners, spreading false allegations, presenting social media posts out of context, and attempting to influence voters through misleading advertisements or promises.
