The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a show-cause notice to Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), for a social media post by the party that was deemed to be disparaging and insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The notice, issued on November 14, 2023, directs Kejriwal to explain the statements made online and show cause by November 16, 2023, why appropriate action for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) should not be taken against him.
The MCC, a set of guidelines that political parties and candidates must adhere to during elections in India, prohibits the use of derogatory language and personal attacks against opponents. The ECI, in its assessment, found that the AAP’s social media post violated the MCC, prompting the issuance of the notice to Kejriwal.
Kejriwal, as of now, has not responded to the notice. The ECI will make a decision on whether or not to take action against Kejriwal after considering his response.
This incident highlights the ECI’s strict adherence to the MCC and its commitment to maintaining a fair and unbiased electoral process. The MCC is designed to ensure that political campaigns are conducted in a responsible and respectful manner, creating a level playing field for all parties and candidates.
The ECI’s action against AAP comes in the wake of several instances of political parties and candidates violating the MCC during the ongoing election campaigns. The ECI has been proactive in addressing these violations, sending out a clear message that it will not tolerate any breach of the MCC.
Political parties and candidates must exercise caution and ensure that their campaigns adhere to the MCC. Any violation of the MCC can lead to serious consequences, including legal action and even disqualification from the election process.
The ECI’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a civil and respectful discourse during elections. Political parties and candidates must focus on substantive issues and avoid personal attacks and derogatory language.
The public, too, has a role to play in ensuring a fair and unbiased electoral process. They must be vigilant about MCC violations and report any instances to the ECI. By working together, the ECI and the public can ensure that elections in India are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.