Election body issues warning to political parties ahead of LS polls

New Delhi: The Election Commission warned parties and their leaders on Friday to desist from seeking votes based on caste, religion, or language, as well as from insulting the devotee-deity relations or implying divine condemnation.

In advisory warning parties, candidates and star campaigners of stern action for any violation of the Model Code of Conduct, rather than the previous practice of only 'moral censure', the poll panel also stated that temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras, or any other place of worship should not be used for poll propaganda or electioneering.

It said that the star campaigners and candidates who have received notices in the past will face stern action for a repeat violation of the model code.

The advisory comes days before the model code is expected to come into effect with the announcement of the Lok Sabha and four state assembly polls later this month, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had recently emphasised that political parties should foster ethical and respectful political discourse which inspire rather than divide, promote ideas instead of personal attacks.

The Commission's advisory has now formally set the stage for ethical political discourse and cut clutter in the 2024 General Elections, an official said, adding the methodical approach to MCC violations has prepared the ground for civilised campaigning.

The EC warned the parties to maintain decorum in public campaigning and put additional responsibility on star campaigners and candidates, especially those who were issued notices in the past.

It asked the parties to raise the level of the election campaign to issue-based debate and said the parties and their leaders should not make statements without factual basis or mislead the voters.

The advisory also covered social media engagements, saying posts vilifying or insulting rivals, and posts that are in bad taste or below dignity should not to made or shared.

With PTI inputs