The Election Commission has asked the politicians in Punjab to mind their language.
As the tempers running high in Punjab’s electoral field and hot-blooded politicians saying anything and everything, the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh has come out with an advisory — “refrain from using disrespectful and undignified language during election campaign”. The State CEO has shot of a communiqué to the presidents and general secretaries of all political parties and all the candidates in the fray for 2014 lok Sabha polls.
“The leaders of all political parties and all the candidates have been advised to abide by Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in letter and spirit, and refrain from using unbecoming language or adopt postures, which are uncalled for in the election campaigning,” stated Singh.
VK Singh, in his letter, pointed out that the CEO office has received numerous complaints regarding the use of disrespectful, undignified and intimidating language by many political leaders while delivering speeches during campaigning or while addressing their supporters or workers.
He further said that it has also been observed from perusal of major newspaper reports and electronic media clippings that many political personalities were resorting to mud-slinging and personal attacks against other contesting parties or candidates.
“This vitiates atmosphere for elections and leaves a bad impression in minds of public about political leadership,” he added. CEO said that Model Code of Conduct lays down guidelines for general conduct during the election period, which includes that ‘no party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic’.
“Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties,” he pointed.
Further, Singh quoted the guidelines, “Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided. Besides, there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda,” he added.