For light-touch monitoring
11 years, 4 months ago

For light-touch monitoring

The Hindu  

When it is not seen as toothless, the Election Commission of India is seen as overzealous and authoritarian. While chiding Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for making speeches that were “not in consonance” with the letter and spirit of the Model Code of Conduct, and serving notice to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for his barbs about the election symbol of the Congress, the hand, the EC seems to have been overly conscious of this need to not only crack the whip against politicians, but But while political parties must be made to realise the importance of a campaign that is reasoned and illuminative, and not abusive and noisy, the truth is that electioneering is impossible to monitor with any level of efficacy. However, the question to ask is whether the MCC, if implemented in letter and in spirit to the last detail, would dampen India’s lively and colourful electioneering and the robustness of democratic debate. The EC’s disciplinarian approach is essential to make elections free and fair, but the activism should not go to the extent of robbing the election of all character. The EC and its model code would only gain greater moral authority in this process.

Political Parties Election Gandhi Modi Mcc  monitoring  election  lighttouch  campaign  mr  parties  political  modi  code  mcc  gandhi  ec

History of this topic

Delhi election: Kejriwal meets EC officials, flags ‘threat to voters by police’
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Delhi election: Kejriwal meets EC officials, flags ‘threat to voters by police’

The Hindu  

Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal led a delegation of party leaders to the Election Commission of India office on Tuesday and, in a meeting with senior officials, flagged attempts by the BJP to “manipulate the electoral process through the Delhi police”. We explained how Delhi Police is being misused to facilitate such acts.” He added that the AAP …

EC rejects pressure tactics, stands firm amid Kejriwal’s allegations
1 month, 4 weeks ago

EC rejects pressure tactics, stands firm amid Kejriwal’s allegations

Deccan Chronicle  

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday took strong exception to what it called “repeated deliberate pressure tactics” aimed at maligning the poll body, asserting that it will not be influenced by such insinuations. The response came a day after Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar was seeking a post-retirement appointment. In a …

Delhi HC asks ECI to ensure political parties don’t use ‘vilifying’ material in polls
Trending News
2 months ago

Delhi HC asks ECI to ensure political parties don’t use ‘vilifying’ material in polls

The Hindu  

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Election Commission to ensure political parties and their candidates did not use any “vilifying” material during election campaigns. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said the State election officer, chief election officer and the district election officer were fully empowered and duty-bound to check such messages and advertising material being circulated by …

Insights on Indian elections, One Nation One Election, BJP’s recovery and ECI opacity at Hindu Lit For Life Dialogue
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Insights on Indian elections, One Nation One Election, BJP’s recovery and ECI opacity at Hindu Lit For Life Dialogue

The Hindu  

From the likelihood of the One Nation One Election becoming a reality, to the metamorphosing of the Indian elections into a polarising, hyperlocal and cash-intensive affairs to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ability to bounce back from the electoral jolt in the 2024 parliamentary elections were some of the topics that held the audience in a spell at the Lit For …

EC seeks replies from Nadda, Kharge on Rahul, Shah speeches
4 months, 2 weeks ago

EC seeks replies from Nadda, Kharge on Rahul, Shah speeches

Deccan Chronicle  

The Election Commission of India has issued notices to BJP President JP Nadda and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking their responses to complaints over controversial statements made during the ongoing election campaigns in several states. The BJP filed a complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks during a rally, where he allegedly accused the BJP and the RSS …

ECI Seeks BJP, Congress Responses Over Complaints Against Remarks By PM Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi
4 months, 2 weeks ago

ECI Seeks BJP, Congress Responses Over Complaints Against Remarks By PM Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi

ABP News  

In the ongoing assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the Election Commission of India has taken cognisance of the complaints filed by both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress. But they don’t say this openly because if they speak it openly then the whole country will stand against them.” Congress Complaint Against Narendra Modi, Amit Shah The …

EC seeks responses from Nadda, Kharge over poll code violation complaints
4 months, 2 weeks ago

EC seeks responses from Nadda, Kharge over poll code violation complaints

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India has written to the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP president JP Nadda seeking their response on the MCC violation complaints registered by the two parties against each other during the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly poll campaigns. While the BJP had complained against Rahul Gandhi, the Congress had complained to the poll panel …

ECI advised PMO to ensure MCC isn’t violated during Modi’s meditation: Official
10 months ago

ECI advised PMO to ensure MCC isn’t violated during Modi’s meditation: Official

Hindustan Times  

The Election Commission of India “advised” the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure the Model Code of Conduct is not violated during Narendra Modi’s two-day meditation from Thursday to Saturday, an official of the poll body said. The former ECI official said the poll body used to stop even the delivery of the newspapers from outside the campaign area during the …

Silence of Election Commission on Narendra Modi’s Meditation Event in Kanyakumari During Silent Period Raises Neutrality Concerns
10 months ago

Silence of Election Commission on Narendra Modi’s Meditation Event in Kanyakumari During Silent Period Raises Neutrality Concerns

The Hindu  

Published : May 31, 2024 13:03 IST - 7 MINS READ The Election Commission of India chose to maintain radio silence over protests by the opposition parties that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘meditation’ at the Vivekananda Memorial, Kanyakumari, between May 30 and June 1, close to the last phase of polling on June 1, would lead to a serious violation …

Former chief election commissioners call for EC reforms, model code overhaul
10 months, 1 week ago

Former chief election commissioners call for EC reforms, model code overhaul

Hindustan Times  

Has the Election Commission become a pale shadow of its former self? Consider this, says one former CEC: In 2012, the then prime minister Manmohan Singh sought the Election Commission’s permission before visiting the Golden Temple at Amritsar during the Punjab assembly elections. Without taking names or referring to designations, it may not be a bad idea to include the …

India’s election watchdog expresses ‘concern’ but does not suspend Modi over ‘anti-Muslim’ hate speech
10 months, 1 week ago

India’s election watchdog expresses ‘concern’ but does not suspend Modi over ‘anti-Muslim’ hate speech

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India’s election commission has served …

EC warns BJP, Congress against divisive speech
10 months, 1 week ago

EC warns BJP, Congress against divisive speech

Deccan Chronicle  

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday asked the BJP and the Congress to desist from campaigning along caste, community, language, and religious lines. In a letter sent to the presidents of both national parties, the ECI told them to mind the language and content of the speeches made by their star campaigners.Asserting that India's socio-cultural milieu cannot be made …

ECI Order to Congress, BJP to ask Star Campaigners to follow MCC
10 months, 1 week ago

ECI Order to Congress, BJP to ask Star Campaigners to follow MCC

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Wednesday directed the BJP and Congress to follow Model Code of Conduct during ongoing Lok Elections-2024. In separate letters addressed to BJP national president JP Nadda and Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, ECI Senior Principal Secretary Narendra N. Butoli asked them to refrain their parties star campaigners from making any statement, which …

EC comes down heavily on both BJP and Congress, says 'correct discourse, maintain decorum'
10 months, 1 week ago

EC comes down heavily on both BJP and Congress, says 'correct discourse, maintain decorum'

India TV News  

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday came down heavily on Bharatiya Janata Party chief JP Nadda and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge directing them to issue formal notes to star campaigners of the Lok Sabha elections to correct their discourse, exercise care and maintain decorum. The poll body asked the BJP and the Congress to desist from campaigning along caste, …

Delhi High Court Dismisses Plea Against PM Modi for Alleged Hate Speeches
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Delhi High Court Dismisses Plea Against PM Modi for Alleged Hate Speeches

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: A recent ruling by the Delhi High Court dismissed a petition urging the Election Commission of India to take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for purportedly delivering divisive speeches during the Lok Sabha election campaign, allegedly breaching the Model Code of Conduct. Justice Sachin Datta deemed the plea lacking in substance, affirming that the ECI retains the …

Civil society organisations protest in Karnataka against Election Commission for ‘inaction’ against MCC violations, hate speeches
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Civil society organisations protest in Karnataka against Election Commission for ‘inaction’ against MCC violations, hate speeches

The Hindu  

Demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi be barred from campaigning for 96 hours and an FIR be lodged against him for his alleged hate speeches, several civil society groups undertook a nationwide joint campaign on May 11, including in Karnataka, with the slogan “Grow a Spine or Resign.” The activists in Bengaluru submitted a memorandum to the office of the …

When other sticks fail to stir the pot
10 months, 3 weeks ago

When other sticks fail to stir the pot

New Indian Express  

Even if the Election Commission lacks the courage or conviction to do it, the time has come for all Indians collectively to say to PM Narendra Modi: “You have gone too far, sir. In harsh and immoderate language, he has embarked upon a fear-mongering offensive, comparing the Congress manifesto to a document of the Muslim League, claiming it will divert …

Modi’s ‘hate speech’ against Muslims investigated by India’s election commission
11 months, 1 week ago

Modi’s ‘hate speech’ against Muslims investigated by India’s election commission

The Independent  

The language used by India’s prime minister Narendra Modi – appearing to refer to the country’s Muslim population as “infiltrators” – has sparked outrage among the opposition, who have described it as hate speech and accused the prime minister of dragging India’s democracy into the gutter. Now, the Election Commission of India has sent a notice to Mr Modi’s ruling …

EC notice to BJP chief Nadda on complaints against PM Modi's remarks
11 months, 1 week ago

EC notice to BJP chief Nadda on complaints against PM Modi's remarks

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Taking cognisance for the first time of a model code violation complaint against a prime minister, the Election Commission on Thursday issued a notice to BJP president J P Nadda on Opposition charge that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a divisive speech in Rajasthan's Banswara.Separately, the poll panel also issued a notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, asking …

ECI issues notices over MCC violation complaints against Modi, Kharge, Rahul
11 months, 1 week ago

ECI issues notices over MCC violation complaints against Modi, Kharge, Rahul

Hindustan Times  

The Election Commission of India on Thursday issued separate notices seeking responses by 11am on Monday to complaints of violations of the Model Code of Conduct against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Mallikaarjun Kharge and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi, underlining campaign speeches of star campaigner need to be judged “at a higher threshold of compliance”. MCC says no …

EC takes notice of alleged MCC violations by PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi, seeks reply from BJP, Congress
11 months, 1 week ago

EC takes notice of alleged MCC violations by PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi, seeks reply from BJP, Congress

India TV News  

The Election Commission of India on Thursday took notice of alleged Model Code of Conduct violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The MCC allegations against PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi are exchanged with BJP president JP Nadda and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as a first step. The Election Commission asked the BJP to respond to …

PM, Rahul Gandhi's 'violations': Election body takes note, seeks reply
11 months, 1 week ago

PM, Rahul Gandhi's 'violations': Election body takes note, seeks reply

India Today  

The Election Commission of India on Thursday took note of alleged model code of conduct violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Both BJP and Congress had raised allegations against Rahul Gandhi and PM Modi respectively for causing hatred through their election campaign speeches. The Election Commission shared the alleged model code violations by PM Modi …

EC starts examining complaints against PM's speech
11 months, 1 week ago

EC starts examining complaints against PM's speech

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Amid mounting opposition pressure, the Election Commission is learnt to have started examining complaints against a speech made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajasthan in which he suggested that if the Congress came to power, it would redistribute the wealth of people to Muslims.The Congress and the CPI-M had separately urged the poll panel against Modi's speech …

DC Edit | Leaders should set example in strictly following EC code
11 months, 2 weeks ago

DC Edit | Leaders should set example in strictly following EC code

Deccan Chronicle  

When in doubt, go back to the basics, they say. The Constitution says India is a secular nation; Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, lists the appeal by a candidate to vote or refrain from voting for any person on the ground of his religion, race, caste, community or language or the use of, or appeal …

Onus is on the ECI to build trust in elections
1 year ago

Onus is on the ECI to build trust in elections

Hindustan Times  

The announcement of national polls by the Chief Election Commissioner in the company of two freshly appointed commissioners, and the apex court declining a stay on their appointments, should help quieten down the whispers around the resignation of a sitting commissioner. Significantly, the new appointments were made by a collegium for the first time following the enactment of the Chief …

EC raps Rahul Gandhi for ‘panauti, pickpocket’ jibes, issues advisory
1 year ago

EC raps Rahul Gandhi for ‘panauti, pickpocket’ jibes, issues advisory

Live Mint  

The Election Commission has asked former Congress president Rahul Gandhi to be more careful in his public utterances in the wake of his ‘panauti’ and ‘pickpocket’ jibes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday citing sources. The report said the election commission also asked the senior Congress leader to follow its recent advisory for star campaigners …

A better model: The Hindu Editorial on a catalogue of actions by the Election Commission of India
1 year, 4 months ago

A better model: The Hindu Editorial on a catalogue of actions by the Election Commission of India

The Hindu  

The Model Code of Conduct that parties and governments are expected to follow during election campaigning is well-meaning, but not easy to enforce. In recent days, the ECI has wielded the MCC against the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and its Delhi unit president; Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi; Aam Aadmi Party …

ECI Warns of Suspension, Ban for Politicos Over Hate Speeches
1 year, 5 months ago

ECI Warns of Suspension, Ban for Politicos Over Hate Speeches

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India, which set up a monitoring wing to track objectionable speeches, is set to temporarily ban candidates and leaders who indulge in hate speeches in their election campaigns. ECI officials said that no party or candidate shall indulge in an activity that may aggravate existing differences, create mutual hatred, or cause tension between different castes …

Will complain to ECI over copter use by BRS, says Congress
1 year, 5 months ago

Will complain to ECI over copter use by BRS, says Congress

Deccan Chronicle  

Kamareddy: Senior Congress leader and former minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir said that the party would complain to the Election Commission of India over the ‘misuse’ of public money by BRS leaders. He questioned why Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and his family members Rama Rao, Kavitha and Harish Rao used helicopters for party public meetings on the pretext of government …

Election Commission or Election, asks Congress
5 years, 10 months ago

Election Commission or Election, asks Congress

India TV News  

Election Commission or Election, asks Congress In a letter to the CEC, Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa recused himself from the Full Commission meetings related to the Model Code of Conduct after his "minority decisions" on the clean chit to Modi and BJP President Amit Shah on their respective speeches went unrecorded. The Congress on saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi …

Unfortunate that Election Commission in the dock: SY Qureshi
5 years, 10 months ago

Unfortunate that Election Commission in the dock: SY Qureshi

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: As India goes for sixth and penultimate round of voting, the Election Commission of India faces severe criticism from political parties, and on social media for being biased. For instance, the ECI came under major criticism when it suspended Karnataka-cadre IAS officer Mr Mohammed Mohsin for searching Mr Modi’s helicopter in Sambalpur in Orissa as part of his …

Election Commission dismisses Congress complaint against PM Modi for his Bhrashtachari remark on Rajiv Gandhi
5 years, 10 months ago

Election Commission dismisses Congress complaint against PM Modi for his Bhrashtachari remark on Rajiv Gandhi

Op India  

The Election Commission has dismissed the complaint filed by the Congress Party against Prime Minister Modi for his remarks on former Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi wherein Modi called him Bhrashtachari No. EC on complaint against PM over ‘Bhrashtachari No1’ remark against Rajiv Gandhi: Prima facie, we did not figure out any literal violation of MCC as given in Election …

More MCC violation complaints against Modi than any other PM: Congress
5 years, 10 months ago

More MCC violation complaints against Modi than any other PM: Congress

India TV News  

Congress has filed 10 complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Election Commission for alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct and the party says it is the highest number of complaints faced by any Prime Minister in a Lok Sabha election. Congress spokesperson Shobha Oza said Modi has made history in terms of complaints filed against him with …

Rahul Gandhi accuses EC of bias and threatens them with ‘consequences’, hours after the same EC gave him clean chit for a lie
5 years, 10 months ago

Rahul Gandhi accuses EC of bias and threatens them with ‘consequences’, hours after the same EC gave him clean chit for a lie

Op India  

Rahul Gandhi, in a media interaction today, threatened Election Commission officials with “consequences” in the future for being biased. Answering a question posed by the Media, Rahul Gandhi said that the election commission has cowered to the pressures put by the Narendra Modi government and have become biased against the opposition. Rahul Gandhi said that when it comes to the …

EC must stop acting in a partisan way, else its credibility will erode
5 years, 11 months ago

EC must stop acting in a partisan way, else its credibility will erode

Deccan Chronicle  

The opinion of the Election Commission of India that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not violate the Model Code of Conduct while delivering election speeches on April 1 at Wardha, Maharashtra, and on April 9 at Latur, also in Maharashtra, demonstrates that the commission is guilty of violating the code it is meant to adhere to as a non-partisan institution …

EC has come a long way in punishing netas for outrageous remarks; more bans handed out this year than in 2014
5 years, 11 months ago

EC has come a long way in punishing netas for outrageous remarks; more bans handed out this year than in 2014

Firstpost  

The Election Commission seems no more reluctant to dish out punishment after it was rapped on the knuckles by the Supreme Court in the presence of the CJI Ranjan Gogoi for not taking any action on erring leaders and not following-up on its own notices, served on any instance of MCC violation. Maneka Gandhi The BJP leader and contestant from …

New-age hurdles for Election Commission
5 years, 11 months ago

New-age hurdles for Election Commission

Live Mint  

The polarized campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections has put the spotlight firmly on the referee: The Election Commission of India. Given its role as an impartial election ombudsman, the ECI is responsible for identifying potential violations of the model code of conduct during the election process. In a multi-party coalition environment, to ensure the ECI remains free from …

Debate | Is Criticism of Election Commission of India Justified?
5 years, 11 months ago

Debate | Is Criticism of Election Commission of India Justified?

The Quint  

Talking to Bloomberg Quint’s Tamanna Inamdar, Deb Mukharji, the former High Commissioner to Bangladesh and one of the 66 signatories of the letter sent to EC’s doorstep and SK Mendiratta, former legal advisor of the EC explain the powers that EC can exercise when political players violate Model Code of Conduct. The debate on criticism of the duties discharged by …

EC absolves Narendra Modi of MCC violation regarding 'Mission Shakti' address; says PM didn't appeal for votes, mention BJP
6 years ago

EC absolves Narendra Modi of MCC violation regarding 'Mission Shakti' address; says PM didn't appeal for votes, mention BJP

Firstpost  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on ‘Mission Shakti’ did not violate the Model Code of Conduct, the EC announced on Friday, even as the Opposition had accused the prime minister of violations and ‘publicity mongering’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on ‘Mission Shakti’ did not violate the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission announced on Friday, even as the …

EC issues notice to Rahul for violating model code of conduct
7 years, 3 months ago

EC issues notice to Rahul for violating model code of conduct

ABP News  

New Delhi, December 13 : The Election Commission of India on Wednesday issued a notice to Congress President-elect, Rahul Gandhi for violating Section 126 of R P Act by giving an interview to a local Guajarati news channels in poll-bound Gujarat. The poll body has asked him to 'explain why action should not be taken against him for violating provisions …

EC Reminds Political Parties To Not Seek Votes On Religion, Caste Basis
8 years, 2 months ago

EC Reminds Political Parties To Not Seek Votes On Religion, Caste Basis

Live Law  

The Election Commission of India has notified all political parties to ensure strict compliance of the Supreme Court’s judgment that held that seeking votes in the name of religion, caste or community amounted to a corrupt practice.In a letter dated January 24, 2017, authored by the Election Commission’s secretariat, it is stated: “The commission has instructed that all political. The …

Election Commission talks tough on model code violations ahead of state polls
8 years, 2 months ago

Election Commission talks tough on model code violations ahead of state polls

Live Mint  

New Delhi: The Election Commission has, ahead of polls to five assemblies, cracked the whip on violations of the model code of conduct, and separately asked Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Sakshi Maharaj to explain recent comments made in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. The EC told all recognized national and state political parties in a letter on Tuesday that political parties and …

India's prime minister Narendra Modi suffers embarrassing setback on eve of UK visit
9 years, 4 months ago

India's prime minister Narendra Modi suffers embarrassing setback on eve of UK visit

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Indian voters decisively rejected Prime …

Polinomics: Reminders of raj dharma
9 years, 5 months ago

Polinomics: Reminders of raj dharma

Deccan Chronicle  

The collective decisions by authors, academics, activists, filmmakers and scientists to return awards given to them may be dismissed as “politics by other means” and as “ideological intolerance” by those who are “pathologically opposed” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and its ideological parent RSS. Mr Modi’s apparent reluctance to perform his duties as a statesman and head of …

EC gets tough with Giriraj Singh
10 years, 11 months ago

EC gets tough with Giriraj Singh

The Hindu  

The Election Commission on Tuesday barred Giriraj Singh, BJP candidate in Nawada, from holding public meetings in Bihar and Jharkhand, taking cognisance of his “highly inflammatory” speeches in which he said detractors of prime ministerial hopeful Narendra Modi had a place only in Pakistan, not in India. The EC issued instructions that “no permission should be granted for holding any …

EC warns of action for using abusive language in election campaign
11 years, 4 months ago

EC warns of action for using abusive language in election campaign

India TV News  

New Delhi: EC has warned political parties of strong action for using intemperate and abusive language in election campaign. “The Commission desires to put all political parties on notice that any repeated violations of the Model Code of Conduct and use of intemperate and abusive language may invite action against the defaulting political parties,” the EC advisory to all political …

Freedom of expression is not absolute, EC tells Modi
11 years, 4 months ago

Freedom of expression is not absolute, EC tells Modi

The Hindu  

The Election Commission on Thursday examined a video CD of a gathering Narendra Modi addressed at Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh on November 7 after the Congress alleged in a November 9 complaint that the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate had violated the model code of conduct. After unfavourably considering Mr. Modi’s November 19 reply to its notice on his khooni panjaa remark, …

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