Introduction:
In a huge development, the Election Commission (EC) took a decisive step on 22nd November by issuing a show-cause notice to the president of the Rajasthan Congress in response to allegations of presenting political advertisements as news articles or political forecasts. The notice accuses the Congress leader of distorting the level playing field and inducing confusion among voters.
Complaints Filed by BJP:
The first complaint, lodged on Tuesday by the BJP, raised concerns about Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot featuring in advertisements suggesting that a missed call to a specific number could provide assistance with the Congress's pre-election promises. The BJP contended that the unique identifier assigned to the caller implied that voting for the Congress would exclusively benefit the caller, potentially influencing voters through what they referred to as a form of "bribery."
In the second complaint, the BJP accused the Congress of running advertisements alongside newspaper headlines, asserting an imminent rise to power. The BJP urged the EC to initiate legal action, including filing an FIR and halting the circulation of these advertisements, claiming that the Congress was attempting to create a misleading impression in the minds of voters.
Allegations of Bribery and Violation of Poll Guidelines:
The BJP's complaint raised concerns about the legitimacy of capturing data for government welfare schemes through a non-government-issued number. The party argued that such practices contradicted the principles of free and fair elections, setting a precedent where only registered political supporters might be entitled to government schemes. Terming it as "bribery," the BJP urged the EC to take immediate action, including filing an FIR, stopping the circulation of the advertisements, reprimanding the Congress, and issuing an advisory to the electorate.
Additionally, the BJP accused the Congress of violating poll guidelines by publishing ads on the front pages of newspapers in Rajasthan, below the masthead, suggesting a "Congress wave" in the state. The BJP asserted that these ads were an attempt to create a wrongful and misinformative impact on voters, portraying them as opinions of the respective newspapers after a survey.
Election Commission's Response:
In response to the BJP's complaints, the EC issued a show-cause notice to Govind Singh Dotasra, the state unit chief of the Rajasthan Congress, requesting a response by 3 pm on Thursday. The EC's notification emphasized that the advertisement discussing a "Congress wave" in Rajasthan failed to meet the expected standards for a national party. The EC observed that the ad was crafted to resemble a news item, with the intention of confusing voters.
The EC referred to a similar complaint during the Assam elections in March 2021 when the BJP used an advertisement that could be misconstrued as a news headline. It stressed that political parties are allowed to release advertisements without its clearance up to 48 hours before polling, but these ads must comply with accounting rules and include clear citations identifying them as political advertisements.
Potential Implications and Conclusion:
The show-cause notice issued by the Election Commission to the president of the Rajasthan Congress marks a crucial development in the ongoing electoral dynamics in the state. The allegations of misleading advertisements, bribery, and violation of poll guidelines have intensified the political climate, raising questions about the ethical conduct of election campaigns. The response from the Congress and the Election Commission's subsequent actions will undoubtedly shape the narrative leading up to the elections, underscoring the importance of maintaining transparency and fairness in the democratic process.
As India inches closer to its largest and most important election, it is essential that violations regardless of the political party are addressed accordingly by the ECI. Lawlessness and a free hand would be detrimental to the elections in India which is why the ECI must remain impartial and strict with the enforcement of its rules for all political parties.
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