Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s snake remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Election Commission of India (ECI) Tuesday issued an advisory urging star campaigners to “maintain the dignity of the political discourse”.
The ECI said: “Taking serious note of plummeting level of campaign discourse during ongoing General Elections to Karnataka Legislative Assembly… issued an advisory to all National and State Parties and candidates to exercise caution and restraint in their utterances during campaigning and not to vitiate the election atmosphere. The Commission’s attention has recently been brought to the instances of inappropriate vocabulary and language used during the ongoing campaign by persons, in particular, by those invested with the statutory status of star campaigner.”
The ECI added that such instances have led to complaints, cross-complaints, and also attracted negative media attention.
The advisory states, “It is imperative for all parties and stakeholders to remain within the confines of the Model Code of Conduct and the legal framework in their utterances while campaigning so as to maintain the dignity of the political discourse and not to vitiate the campaign and the election atmosphere. They are thus expected to contribute in maintaining and raising the level of discourse to ‘issue’ based debate, provide pan India perspective, depth to the local discourse and to reassure all sections of electors to participate fully and fearlessly in a free and fair election.”
In the advisory, the ECI has noted that the use of provocative and inflammatory statements, intemperate and abusive language, and attacks on the personal character and conduct of political rivals vitiate the level-playing field. The spirit of the MCC is not just avoidance of a direct violation, it also prohibits attempts to vitiate the electoral space through suggestive or indirect statements or innuendoes, said the poll body.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
