No tall promises, EC tells parties
- Considering the Lok Sabha elections 2014, the Election Commission of India has issued new guidelines for the political parties on their conduct and manifestos. The new guidelines warn political parties against making high promises, and on distribution of freebies, because they can actually “influences the people”. EC states that such activities are unfit for fair elections.
- The new EC guidelines follow the Court verdict of last year, which states that although giving freebies is not illegal, it certainly “influences” people.
- Even if the EC agrees that creating manifestos is a principal right of the political parties, but it refuses to overlook the undesirable impacts of tall promises and offers, on the fair election conduct. According to them, it doesn’t give a fair level ground for all players.
- EC has directed all political parties and their candidates to make sure that their manifesto reflects the valid promises and roughly specifies the ways to meet the financial needs. The manifesto shouldn’t include anything repulsive to the principles and ideals preserved in the Constitution of India.
- All the parties should stay away from making promises that may spoil the election process, or exert undue pressure on the voters.
Exams Perspective:
- Freebies
- Electoral Reforms
- Model Code of Conduct (MCC)