ECI reiterates instructions ahead of first phase of polls

PUNE: The Election Commission of India has issued an advisory to political parties going to polls in the first phase on April 11 under the Model Code of Conduct.

In the six-point advisory, the Election Commission of India (ECI) clarified that candidates should desist from using photographs of defense personnel as part of their election campaign or propaganda. The commission also advised against any political propaganda involving the operations carried out by defense forces.

The ECI cautioned the candidates to make no appeal on basis of caste or communal feelings of the voters. No activity, which may aggravate existing differences, create mutual hatred, or cause tension between different castes, communities, religious or linguistic groups shall be attempted, the advisory further said.

The ECI advisory said that no aspect of the private life of leaders or workers of other parties should be criticised. The ECI advised the candidates to avoid criticism on the basis of unverified allegations or on distortions should be avoided. No place of worship or religious symbols should be used for election propaganda, the ECI further said.

"All the above instructions should be brought to the notice of candidates and all political functionaries of your political party for strict compliance during the elections," the ECI said in the advisory to political parties.

Besides these instructions, the ECI has stated that they will be strictly monitoring social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, WhatsApp and Share Chat. All the provisions of model code of conduct will apply to the content being posted on the social media by candidates and political parties with all them needing pre-certification.

The political candidates have to provide details of their social media accounts at the time of filing their nomination. SMS or Voice messages on phone and election campaigning through social media will also be under the purview of pre-certification of election advertisements, just like electronic and radio advertisements. The EC has directed that a social media expert should be on board to ensure fair practice during polls.