Director General, Election Commission of India, Akshay Rout on Thursday said that any freebie in election manifesto is considered a corrupt tradition under the Section 123 of RP Act and the Election Commission has already issued instructions to the political parties on such promises.
Presiding over a joint media workshop of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh on election regulations, paid news and Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) here, Akshay said that on the sensitive issue of freebies promised by the political parties, the Apex Court and the ECI have already issued directions. “In case of such promises, the concerned political party has to explain the financial source for fulfilling these. And, if any political party distributes something free then the cost of such items would be added in the expenditure of candidate of the concerned area,” he said.
later on, presiding over a session on the core issue of Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), Rout underlined the need for enrolling each eligible voter and ensuring maximum polling to further strengthen the institute of democracy. He said that in the recent assembly elections in different states, there was a considerable increase in poll percentage. He exhorted the CEOs and media representatives to join hands to create awareness amongst masses especially newly enrolled voters and women to use their right to franchise.
He informed that on March 9, 2014 throughout the country a special campaign was being launched to provide an opportunity to the voters to check their names in electoral rolls at all polling stations. He also interacted with the District Electoral Officers through video conferencing on this occasion. Rout also called upon the media to give full support in checking the practice of ‘paid news’ during the upcoming lok Sabha elections. He said that media should have to remain extra conscious in the last 48 hours before the commencing of the polls. During this period, the news which can influence the voters and could be a factor in making a candidate win or lose his or her seat is restricted
under Section 126B of Representation of the People Act. This is a violation of model code of conduct which would attract imprisonment up to two years with fine. Internet based media is also covered under this Act. Rout added that Media Certification and Monitoring Committees have been constituted at district, State and Commission level for certification of advertisements and to monitor media with regard to paid news.