In its attempt to rein in the political parties from coming out with outlandish claims and indulging in hyperbole to attract voters, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued detailed guidelines in this regard. The ECI has directed the political parties that they should not come out with lofty claims that violate the very principles laid down in the Indian Constitution. The ECI has said that it has no objection about the welfare measures but the political parties should not indulge in making tall promise that can vitiate the very sanctity of the elections. The ECI guidelines are aimed at curbing political parties such as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from announcing grandiose promises such a power subsidy, water tariff subsidy, Delhi Jan lokpal Bill and Swaraj Bill that can attract the voters but are tough to be fulfilled. The AAP’s Swaraj Bill in particular was in clear violation of the very spirit of the Constitution. AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal openly criticised the Indian Constitution during his protest at Rail Bhavan that too when he was the Chief Minister of Delhi.
In its guidelines issued on Friday the ECI has directed that the election manifesto shall not contain anything repugnant to the ideals and principles enshrined in the Constitution and further that it shall be consistent with the letter and spirit of other provisions of Model Code of Conduct. It further said, “The Directive Principles of the State Policy enshrined in the Constitution enjoin upon the State to frame various welfare measures for the citizens and therefore, there can be no objection to the promise of such welfare measures for the citizens and therefore, there can be no objection to the promises of such welfare measures in election manifestos. However, political parties should avoid making those promises which are likely to vitiate the purity of the election process or exert undue influence on the voters in exercising their franchise”.
The ECI has also directed that in the interest of transparency, level playing field and credibility of promises, it is expected that manifesto also reflect the rationale for the promises and broadly indicates the ways and means to meet the financial requirements for it. The guidelines further states, “Trust of voters should be sought only on those promises which are possible to be fulfilled”. This according to an ECI official is aimed at restraining political parties from announcing sops to woo the voters that are very difficult to fulfil but can entice the voters in using their franchise in the favour of the concerned political party.