In a letter to all recognized national and state level parties, the Election Commission has said that it cannot ignore insufficient information on election promises and undue influence on the financial position, as hollow election promises will have far-reaching effects. Along with Sibal, the CPI(M) has also criticized it.
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal on Wednesday hit out at the Election Commission for seeking opinion of political parties regarding changes in the Model Code of Conduct to provide authentic information to voters about the financial viability of election promises. The monitor itself needs a code of conduct.
In a letter to all recognized national and state level parties, the Election Commission (EC) said that it cannot ignore insufficient information on election promises and undue influence on the financial position, as hollow election promises will have far-reaching effects.
The commission has asked these parties to give their views on the proposal by October 19.
Commenting on the development, Sibal said, “The Election Commission turns around after filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court abstaining from the debate on freebies. This would amount to cheating. Now want to include it in the model code of conduct.
Election Commission
Does a u-turn after filing affidavit in Supreme Court that it will stay out on freebie debate. Would amount to overreach.
Now wishes to include it in the Model Code of Conduct
Maybe EC itself needs a Model Code of Conduct !
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) October 5, 2022
“Maybe the Election Commission itself needs a model code of conduct,” he said on Twitter.
The EC in its letter had said, “The election manifestos should clearly indicate that in the interest of transparency, equity and credibility of the promises, it should be known how and through which the financial requirement will be met.”
It is noteworthy that in its letter, the Commission has said that according to the proposed amendment in the Model Election Code, the justification of the election promises should be reflected in the election manifestos.
Responding to the Election Commission’s proposal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that governments should spend taxpayers’ money not to benefit politicians, their family members and friends, but to provide facilities to the public.
The party said that providing electricity, water, schools and other facilities to the people is the “main responsibility” of any government.
Asked about the party’s opinion on the proposal of the commission, party’s national spokesperson Atishi told reporters here, “Aam Aadmi Party will put forth its view (before the election commission).”
The commission has written this letter at a time when, a few days ago, the Prime Minister had taken a dig at some political parties by mentioning ‘Rewari culture’. After this a debate started between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition parties.
The commission has also proposed a format for political parties to give details of the financial requirement associated with the promises made in the election manifesto. It has said that if the response of the political parties does not come within the stipulated time frame, then it will be assumed that they have nothing special to say on the subject.
The commission has said that the prescribed format, nature of information and standardization for comparison of information is necessary.
The Election Commission also said that voters will be able to choose their option after getting enough information on the financial impact of the promises made. The commission also said that it cannot ignore insufficient information on election promises and undue influence on the financial position.
The commission said that most political parties do not provide the details of election announcements to it on time.
It is not the job of Election Commission to regulate policy announcements by political parties: CPI(M)
The Left parties opposed the proposal of the Election Commission, saying that it is not the job of the Election Commission to ‘regulate’ policy announcements.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said in a statement, “The Constitution directs the Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections. It is not the job of the Election Commission to regulate the policy announcements and welfare measures that political parties promise to the people. This is completely the prerogative of political parties in a democracy.
“We strongly oppose any attempt to limit or regulate the right of political parties to offer policy measures to address the concerns and problems of the people,” the party said. The proposal of the Election Commission is an unfair step.
Commission’s proposal not related to ‘Rewari’ debate: Election Commission official
According to The Hindu, amidst criticism from political parties, an official of the commission said that the recent proposal is not related to the ongoing debate on ‘Rewari culture’ but to better compliance with the guidelines already given.
On the condition of confidentiality, a top official of the commission told this newspaper, ‘These two issues are fundamentally different, legally and also in principle. The first is to define freebies and regulate them by law or court directives. The second relates only to the disclosure of them and does not require a new law or court order, and does not affect the right of political parties to declare what they deem appropriate.
(with input from news agency language)
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