Don146;t take it EC

There may be merit in the argument that the Election Commission8217;s showcause notice to the Congress, for violating the model code of con...

There may be merit in the argument that the Election Commission8217;s showcause notice to the Congress, for violating the model code of conduct, was a bit of a sledgehammer because of the threat of party derecognition it carried. But it comes, nevertheless, as an important and timely reminder that the Commission, now in the throes of overseeing five important state elections, is alert and serious about ensuring a level playing field to all parties, regardless of extraction, size or ideological orientation. The matter at issue was the alleged use of a Chhattisgarh state aircraft by Congress president Sonia Gandhi for campaign purposes. It is now up to that party to explain the circumstances under which the aircraft was used and why its use does not violate the code.

In many ways the purpose of the showcause notice has already been served. Not only has it sent shock waves through a somewhat complacent Congress, forcing it to review its electoral practices, it waves the warning flag before other parties as well. After all, the purpose of the model code of conduct for election campaigning is to ensure that parties, especially those in power at the Centre and the state, do not misuse the enormous facilities at their disposal and thus gain an unfair advantage over their opponents. The code, for instance, specifically states that 8220;ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work8221; and that 8220;government transport, including official aircrafts, vehicles, machinery and personnel, shall not be used for furtherance of the interest of the party in power8221;. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi appears to be extremely cavalier about observance of norms, and the EC has already had sufficient occasion to rap him on the knuckles, whether it was with regard to the Jogi-on-schoolbag move or strategic postings of friendly bureaucrats. He deserves every bit of the strict supervision that the Commission has accorded to him. In any case, it is not just the Congress that has fallen foul with the Commission. After all, one of the first interventions it made this poll season was to ask the Central government to withdraw its 8220;Shining India8221; campaign because it violated the model code which disallows the 8220;misuse of the official mass media during the election period for partisan coverage of political news8221;. The NDA government had made loud noises of protest at that point but better sense prevailed and the campaign was withdrawn.

The model code of conduct is essentially a moral code of conduct since the Election Commission has limited powers of remedy and, in any case, is committed to ensuring that the ongoing election process is not disrupted in any way. Since all parties stand to benefit from the moral authority and impartiality of the Commission, they must ensure that it is duly respected.