Observing the concerning trends and instances of declining standards in political campaign discourse during recent elections, the Election Commission of India has issued additional guidance to all political parties. They urge parties to maintain decorum, exercise restraint in public campaigning, and elevate discussions to focus on issues.
The commission has also placed ‘Star Campaigners’ and candidates on notice, warning against violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections. Any breaches will be assessed according to the advisory, with consequences in terms of timing and content for future elections.
In preparation for the upcoming general election to the Lok Sabha and four state Legislative assemblies, the commission will consider previous offenses as a basis for determining repeated violations across all phases and regions.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar recently emphasized the importance of fostering ethical and respectful political discourse that unites rather than divides, emphasizing ideas over personal attacks.
The commission’s proactive advisory aims to establish a foundation for ethical political discourse and streamline the 2024 General Elections. By addressing MCC violations methodically, they seek to promote civilized campaigning.
While recognizing the importance of balancing freedom of expression with fair competition, the advisory underscores the commission’s self-restrained approach, aiming for its notices to serve as moral reprimands rather than outright prohibitions.
Acknowledging the evolving landscape of information technology and social media, the commission notes the challenges posed by the blurring of boundaries between pre-MCC and the 48-hour silence period, leading to the continued circulation of content throughout campaigning phases and unrelated elections.
The commission urges all political parties, their leaders, and candidates to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct and the legal framework, warning against any form of indirect violation. Political leaders designated as “star campaigners” are reminded of their responsibility to uphold ethical standards during election campaigns, in accordance with both the MCC and statutory provisions.
