- The Election Commission of India (ECI) delivered a stern admonishment to both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, urging them to re-evaluate their campaign strategies.
- Expressing profound concern, the ECI underscored the paramount importance of preserving the rich socio-cultural fabric of India.
- The Election Commission called upon leaders of both political entities to exercise utmost restraint and desist from making false claims or inflammatory remarks that could erode public trust in the democratic process.
- The directive from the EC came in the wake of its dismissal of defenses put forth by BJP Chief JP Nadda and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in response to complaints lodged against them.
In a significant move aimed at maintaining the sanctity of India’s electoral process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) delivered a stern admonishment to both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, urging them to re-evaluate their campaign strategies ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections. The EC’s directive emphasized the imperative of conducting campaigns with dignity and refraining from exploiting divisive tactics based on caste, communal, linguistic, or religious lines.
Expressing profound concern over the escalating trend of campaigns veering towards polarization, the ECI underscored the paramount importance of preserving the rich socio-cultural fabric of India, which should not be subjected to manipulation for electoral gains. The Chief Election Commissioner reiterated the need for upholding the integrity of the electoral process, ensuring that voters are presented with a quality democratic experience that is devoid of divisive rhetoric.
The directive from the Election Commission came in the wake of its dismissal of defenses put forth by BJP Chief JP Nadda and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in response to complaints lodged against them. Both parties were sternly rebuked for engaging in campaigns that were deemed divisive, particularly for their reliance on religious and communal narratives. The EC issued a clear warning against the propagation of speeches that could potentially sow seeds of discord within society.
In a similar vein, the Congress was cautioned against the politicization of the armed forces and cautioned against making statements that could undermine social cohesion. The Election Commission called upon leaders of both political entities to exercise utmost restraint and desist from making false claims or inflammatory remarks that could erode public trust in the democratic process.
In an official notification released by the ECI, the BJP’s star campaigners were directed to abstain from incorporating religious and communal overtones in their public addresses. JP Nadda, in particular, was tasked with ensuring strict adherence to these guidelines, with an emphasis on the imperative of responsible rhetoric during campaigning activities.
The Election Commission’s action followed a meticulous review of speeches delivered by party leaders, which revealed numerous instances of inflammatory language and attempts to exploit sensitive issues for political gain. Topics such as wealth distribution, attacks on religious beliefs, and allegations of constitutional tampering were highlighted as areas of significant concern.
As India prepares for the forthcoming elections, the Election Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the sanctity of the electoral process and fostering an environment conducive to fair and transparent elections. By holding political parties accountable for their campaign strategies, the EC endeavors to promote a culture of respectful discourse and ensure that the democratic principles upon which the nation stands remain robust and unyielding.
(With inputs from agencies)
