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

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 of the Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates. Under the paragraph on ‘General Conduct’, the Model Code of Conduct for the Guidance of Political Parties and Candidates says that all parties and candidates shall scrupulously avoid all activities that are “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the election, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling station. Sub-sections and of Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with the prohibition of public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of the election says: “No person shall display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus; or propagate any election matter to the public by holding, or by arranging the holding of, any musical concert or any theatrical performance or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public thereto, in any polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area”. Disturbing a level playing field It is clear that the Prime Minister’s meditation at the Vivekananda Memorial during the 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the elections in the seventh phase in the general elections on June 1—televised live by many television channels—would surely attract the provisions of Section 126 of the RPA.