In a bid to ensure fair play from all the political parties in the run up to the by-elections of Patiala and Talwandi Sabo Assembly constituencies, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday issued instructions for the celebrations of Independence Day and attendance of political functionaries during the celebrations.
Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab, VK Singh said that an advisory has been issued to all political parties in which it was explained that the commission has no objection to Chief Minister or Ministers in the state to do the honours in the main independence day function at various locations subject to the condition that in their speeches they should confine themselves to extolling the achievements of the martyrs in securing freedom of the country, glorification of the Indian State and so on. “Under no circumstances, these should become a platform for political campaign,” he said.
A day before, former Chief Minister and Congress Deputy leader in lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh took strong exception to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal for planning to unfurl the national flag at Patiala and Bathinda on August 15 respectively.
Capt Amarinder sought the Election Commission’s attention saying that the plan amounts to serious violation of electoral code of conduct as bypolls are scheduled to take place at these places a week later.
Taking cognizance, the CEO on Saturday said the Chief Minister and the Ministers, who belong to political parties and alliance, may be candidates for the assembly by-elections.
He said that the commission, purely in the interest of ensuring a level playing field, directed that no minister or any other political functionary in the state or ex-MPs shall do the honours at any independence day function at any location of within their home district or constituency or from where he or she is a contesting candidate or intends to contest.
The Chief Minister may however do so from the state headquarters as per long standing conventions.
The CEO also clarified that the Commission has also no objection to the organisation of kavi sammelan, mushairas or other cultural functions organised in connection with the Independence Day celebrations and being attended by the Chief Minister, Ministers and other political functionaries.
However, utmost care should be taken to ensure that no political speeches highlighting the achievements of party in power should be made on the occasion.
CEO said that the Commission has further decided that investiture ceremonies at the state level and distribution of Tamra Patras to freedom fighters etc. and such other functions will be done according to existing conventions.
He said that the Commission has also directed all the District Electoral Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers (ROs) for the strict compliance of the instructions.