The Hindu : New Delhi News : ECI pulls up State for violating election code

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Saturday, May 17, 2008
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ECI pulls up State for violating election code

Special Correspondent

Raghuveera Reddy’s remarks irk Commission
ECI takes note of Ministers resorting to media publicity

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday communicated its ‘strong displeasure’ to the Andhra Pradesh government violating the model code of conduct (MCC) during the run-up to the byelections in the State. Similar displeasure was expressed by the Commission to the State’s Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy making derogatory remarks against the ECI.

In its order vis-a-vis the Minister, the Commission concluded that his derogatory remarks “without verifying the facts amount to a deliberate attempt to gain popularity by showing the ECI in poor light.”

‘Verify facts’

Hoping that Mr. Reddy would exercise caution in future, the Commission further said, “Being a responsible Minister, it is expected of you that you verify the facts before making statements, particularly before making remarks about constitutional institutions.”

Expressing severe displeasure over the conduct of the State government and some of its Ministers for making announcements in violation of the MCC, the EC refused to accept the administration’s explanation tendered earlier in the week.

Referring to each announcement made by various Ministers, the Commission took note of the wide publicity they got in the electronic and print media. Refusing to buy the government’s argument that these measures were taken in ‘public interest’ and were applicable to the whole State and not just to the election-going areas, the Commission was of the view that these announcements were made to woo and influence the voters.

While conceding the fact that no orders had not been issued giving effect to the announcements, the Commission said, “Nevertheless, the political mileage which the party in power sought to derive has already been achieved as these announcements are in the nature of promises to the electorate of the benefits which the State government intends to confer on them.”

Stating that there can be no doubt that the MCC has been violated not only in spirit but also in letter, the Commission further added that the State could not plead ignorance.

“It is surprising that major policy pronouncements having wide implications on the polls have been announced without making any reference or seeking concurrence of the Commission,” it pointed out.

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