The Election Commission (EC) has issued notices to the presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (Congress) regarding alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by their star campaigners, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, respectively. The EC is currently examining the complaints and counter-complaints received from both parties.
The Delhi High Court dismissed a plea seeking action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged communal speeches made during the Lok Sabha election campaign. The court held that it cannot micromanage the Election Commission of India (ECI) in its handling of alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The plea had cited specific speeches made by Modi in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, alleging that they incited communal tensions. However, the court found the plea to be “misconceived” and declined to intervene.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) allows voters to cast their ballots without a physical voter ID card in certain circumstances. Voters whose names are on the electoral roll can use alternative ID proofs, including PAN card, Aadhaar card, driving license, passport, bank passbook with photo, pension document, service ID card, or health insurance smart card issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. This provision ensures that eligible voters can exercise their right to vote even if they do not have a physical voter ID card.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has alleged the imposition of Section 144 in Pulwama district ahead of the voting for the newly created Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency. She claimed the development was ‘unprecedented’ and that party workers were being detained. Mufti questioned the Election Commission of India’s actions, suggesting a repeat of the 1987 election irregularities. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statement on free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir was invoked by Mufti, who threatened to withdraw from the contest if the polls were rigged.
The Model Code of Conduct, framed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), is crucial for maintaining the purity and fairness of elections. It prohibits inflammatory speeches, communal hatred, and corrupt practices. Despite violations by senior politicians, the ECI has the authority to take decisive actions, including suspending or withdrawing party recognition. The Supreme Court can direct the ECI to initiate criminal proceedings against those who violate the oath of office.
The Congress party has strongly criticized the Election Commission (EC) of India’s response to concerns raised by party president Mallikarjun Kharge about voter turnout data. The EC had termed Kharge’s letter to opposition leaders an attempt to push a biased narrative, prompting Congress leader Jairam Ramesh to label the EC’s response as a permanent blot on its reputation.
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its reaction to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s letter highlighting discrepancies in the voting data. Chidambaram questioned the ECI’s decision to take exception to Kharge’s letter, arguing that bodies like RBI and the Finance Commission can also be criticized.
Kharge had written to the INDIA bloc leaders alleging delays in the release of voter turnout data and inconsistencies in the final figures. The ECI responded by calling Kharge’s statements “aggression on vitals of live election operations” and “baseless allegations.” Chidambaram defended Kharge’s right to raise concerns, stating that the ECI should be accountable and open to criticism.
The issue has sparked a debate about the independence of the ECI and the importance of transparency in election processes.
Omar Abdullah, National Conference (NC) candidate for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, has alleged that the administration has been unjustly canceling scheduled campaign events for his party. In a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Abdullah expressed concern over the Superintendent of Police Sopore’s actions in demanding the rescheduling of events without providing any reasons. He emphasized that this denial of permissions aimed to hinder the NC’s campaign and prevent it from effectively engaging with voters. Abdullah criticized the decision as arbitrary, discriminatory, and an attempt to disadvantage the NC compared to other political parties. He called for the ECI to intervene and ensure that the campaign schedule was permitted to proceed.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) has filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court, seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to issue a notice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making communally charged statements during his election campaign speeches. The petition alleges that the Prime Minister has made derogatory remarks against Muslims, attempting to polarize the electorate along communal lines.
The Election Commission of India (EC) has instructed microblogging site X to remove a post by Karnataka BJP that showed an animation suggesting Congress favoritism towards the Muslim community. The animation depicted three eggs (SC, ST, OBC) and a fourth (Muslims), with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah only feeding the Muslim bird. The EC’s directive came after Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer had previously requested X to remove the post, but the request was not complied with.
