Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a serious note of incidents like clashes between political parties and expressed its deep concern over it.
In the context of recent clashes between two political parties in New Delhi and lucknow, the commission has sent a letter to Chief Secretaries, Home Secretaries and DGPs of the States asking them to maintain law and Order during the lok Sabha elections. The commission has taken a serious view of such incidents after enforcement of model code of conduct since March 5 and expressed its deep concern and anguish over the issue.
Keeping these incidents in view, the commission has desired that law and Order measures should be strictly enforced to ensure that such untoward incidents should not recur during election period so that atmosphere is created to conduct free and fair elections. According to the commission, states should closely monitor and analyse all major incidents. Their reports should be sent regularly so that the commission can take stock of the situation. The commission has also directed Chief Electoral Officers to ensure sanctity of entire election process.
ECI has advised political parties to avoid including such promises in their election manifestos that are against the principles and ideals of Indian Constitution. The commission has clarified that it will have no objection if promises pertaining to welfare of people as per directive principles for the States are included in manifestos.The commission has also desired from political parties to include promises in manifestos which are transparent as well as credible. It has been mentioned in model code of conduct that financial resources to fulfil promises should also be included in manifestos. People’s trust should be sought on the promises which can be fulfilled.
The commission had also discussed these provisions in the model code of conduct with political parties and candidates and they had supported them for strong democracy.