The Commission had received several complaints that such messages highlighting the government’s initiatives are still being delivered on citizens’ phones….reports Asian Lite News
The Election Commission of India on Thursday directed the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology to immediately halt the delivery of Viksit Bharat messages over WhatsApp.
The Commission had received several complaints that such messages highlighting the government’s initiatives are still being delivered on citizens’ phones despite the announcement of the General Elections 2024 and the Model Code of Conduct entering into force.
“In response, MeitY had informed the commission that although the letters were sent out before MCC came into force, some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay because of systemic and network limitations,” the ECI said.
“A Compliance report on the matter has been demanded immediately from MeitY,” it added.
The move is part of a series of decisions taken by the Election Commission to ensure a level playing field in the Lok Sabha polls.
Earlier on Friday, taking forward its commitment for a level playing field in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued transfer orders for non-cadre officers who are posted at leadership positions as District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) in four states namely Gujarat, Punjab, Odisha and West Bengal.
The post of DM and SP in the district are encadred for officers from Indian Administrative and Indian Police Service respectively.
The Commission said that this action is a demonstration of the Commission’s dedication and promise to uphold fairness and preserve the integrity of the electoral process, a sentiment repeatedly emphasized by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
The decision was taken after the commission convened a meeting chaired by CEC Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.
On March 18, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had issued orders for the removal of Home Secretaries in six states namely Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
TMC: What about messages already sent?
Trinamool Congress MP Santanu Sen on Thursday questioned the timing of the Election Commission’s directive to immediately halt the delivery of Viksit Bharat messages over WhatsApp and asked “what about 1 crore WhatsApp messages that have already been sent?”
After ECI directed the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology to immediately halt the delivery of Viksit Bharat messages over WhatsApp, TMC MP questioned the timing and said, “What about 1 crore WhatsApp messages that have already been sent?”
“If the EC is neutral, it should take action on this. After the Model Code of Conduct was implemented, the Prime Minister went ahead with this act for publicity,” Santanu Sen told ANI.
TMC Rajya Sabha MP further said that the poll body in the country has now become an election wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party. and neutral elections are not possible under ECI.
“EC has been reduced to an election wing by the BJP. The BJP has a greater political vendetta over Bengal because they cannot win Bengal in elections, which is why they are using all sorts of tactics. Neutral elections cannot be conducted under the EC, that is why we demand the interference of the SC, especially for elections in West Bengal,” he said.
‘Parties Must Declare What Freebies Will Cost’
As the Supreme Court prepares to address a series of petitions challenging the distribution of irrational freebies by political parties, it is considering the Election Commission’s proposal for parties to disclose comprehensive data regarding their electoral promises.
This data would encompass how they intend to fulfill their pledges, the estimated number of beneficiaries, expected expenditure, and the overall financial burden, including plans to generate the necessary funds.
While emphasizing that it cannot prevent parties from announcing welfare measures, the Supreme Court aims to draw a clear line between legitimate welfare initiatives and unsustainable giveaways that strain state budgets, particularly in the face of financial constraints.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has introduced two detailed forms for parties to fill out, outlining the financial implications of each proposed freebie. Despite the Election Commission’s efforts, many parties, including major players like the Congress, AAP, and CPM, have expressed opposition to any limitations on their ability to announce such incentives.
Form A requires parties to list the promised freebies, the number of individuals they aim to benefit, the projected expenditure per beneficiary, and the total estimated cost of each initiative. Meanwhile, Form B seeks a breakdown of the financial impact, prompting concerns among political entities.
Should the Election Commission’s proposal be implemented, political parties would need to seek input from economists regarding the effects of financing these promises on the fiscal health of the state or country, as well as their implications for debt servicing. This move could potentially reshape the landscape of electoral promises and foster more responsible fiscal policies among political parties.
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