Election Commission of India Issues Strong Warning to Indian National Congress for Violating Model Code of Conduct
“Election
Commission of India Issues Strong Warning to Indian National Congress for
Violating Model Code of Conduct”
Writer:
KHRITISH SWARGIARY, 10 April, 2024
New
Delhi, April 10, 2024: In a stern move, the Election Commission of India (ECI)
has issued a notice to the President of the Indian National Congress (INC),
Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding repeated violations of the Model Code of
Conduct (MCC) during the ongoing General Election to the Lok Sabha and
Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and
Sikkim, 2024.
The
notice, bearing No. 437/6/COMP/LET/FUNCT/MCC/2024 and dated 9th April 2024,
refers to a series of derogatory remarks made by senior INC leaders, despite
previous warnings from the ECI.
The
ECI's advisory issued on 1st March 2024 explicitly outlined the expected
behavior of political parties and candidates, particularly emphasizing the need
to maintain decorum and respect for women during the election campaign.
However, recent incidents have highlighted a lack of adherence to these
guidelines within the INC.
One
such incident involved Ms. Supriya Shrinate, Chairperson of Social Media and
Digital Platform at AICC, who was strongly censured by the ECI through an order
dated 1st April 2024 for violating the MCC. Despite this, another senior INC
leader, Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala, Member of Parliament and General
Secretary of AICC, was found making disparaging remarks, causing great insult
and disrespect to Smt. Hema Malini and other women legislators.
The
ECI, in its notice, condemned the undignified and vulgar comments made by Shri
Surjewala, emphasizing that such behavior not only harms the dignity of women
in public life but also goes against the principles of fair and respectful
campaigning.
Expressing
disappointment over the repeated violations by senior INC functionaries, the
ECI directed the party to take immediate steps to ensure strict compliance with
the ECI's advisories regarding the honor and dignity of women during public
discourse. The ECI has asked for a detailed report from the INC on the measures
taken by the party to address these concerns by the end of the day on 12th
April 2024.
The
ECI reiterated that election campaigns must not become platforms for
dishonoring or disrespecting women and stressed the importance of maintaining a
civil and respectful tone throughout the electoral process.
This
notice serves as a strong warning to all political parties and candidates to
uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct during elections, as mandated
by the ECI.
For
further updates on this matter, stay tuned to our news platform.
______________________________________________________________________
By Special Messenger
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110001
No.437/6/COMP/LET/FUNCT/MCC/
To
Dated: 9th April, 2024
Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, President, Indian National Congress, 24, Akbar Road, New Delhi
Subject: General Election to the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim, 2024-Violation of Model Code of Conduct-regarding.
Sir,
I am directed to refer to the subject cited and to state that the Commission has issued an elaborate advisory to the political parties, vide its letter dated 01.03.2024, regarding the expected decorum by political parties and candidates, in general and Star Campaigners, in particular. All recognized political parties were instructed to bring that advisory in the cognizance of their candidates, star campaigners and other campaigners.
2. The Commission's advisory very unambiguously states that the political parties and candidates should refrain from any deeds/actions/utterances that may be construed as being repugnant to the honour and dignity of women. It was also emphasised therein that social media posts vilifying and insulting the rivals or posts which are in bad taste, or which are below dignity are not to be posted or shared.
3. The Commission taking cognizance of the derogatory remarks has issued an Order bearing No. 437/6/COMP/ECI/LET/FUNCT/MCC/
4. However, yet another incident of the following undignified utterance by a senior political functionary of Indian National Congress namely, Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala, Member of Parliament and General Secretary, AICC has been brought to the notice of the Commission:
"MLA/MP क्यों बनाते हैं? ताकि वो हमारी आवाज़ उठा सकें, हमारी बात मनवायें, इसीलिए बनाते होंगे। कोई हेमा मालिनी तो है नहीं, जो चाटने के लिए बनाते हैं?"
5. Needless to say, that the above comments are undignified, vulgar and uncivilized and have not only caused great insult to Smt. Hema Malini and disrespect to her position as a Member of Parliament but also causes damage to honour and dignity of women legislators, across political formations, of women in public life and of all women in general.
6. It is unfortunate that despite the Commission bringing it to the notice of the party at your level, the campaigners of Indian National Congress are still indulging in utterances that are repugnant to the honour and dignity of women.
7. While the Commission is serving due notice for show cause to Shri Surjewala, it has also taken serious note of the repeated violations being made by senior political functionaries of Indian National Congress and hereby directs that the steps taken by the party to ensure strict compliance of the Commission's advisories relating to honour and dignity of women during public discourse may kindly be intimated to the Commission at the earliest but not later than end of the day on 12 ^ (th) April, 2024. At this stage, the Commission wishes to reiterate and you will agree that election campaign can not be allowed to become a platform for any kind of dishonour to women.
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