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Election Commission accused of Model Code of Conduct violation

Published

7 years ago

April 26, 2019

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The Election Commission (EC) has itself now been accused of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for refusing to act on complaints about Prime Minister Narendra Modi defying its prescribed rules of speech and behaviour in election campaign, said a report by TheWire.

From the time elections were announced and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly made speeches that even at first glance have gone against the prescribed norms and, despite repeated complaints by concerned citizens and opposition parties, the Election Commission (EC) has not taken any action so far.

The EC had given clear directions to all campaigners and candidates to desist from propaganda involving the armed forces. The code has always forbidden invocation of religion, caste or other divisive factors as part of the campaign.

While the EC has acted on complaints against other leaders, Modi seems to be above the law and has defiantly raised these issues right through the campaign. Three phases of polling have also been completed during this stretch, covering more than half the constituencies in the country.

The EC’s portal on code violations does not show any complaint against the prime minister.

A large number of retired defence services personnel have objected to the use of the name of the armed forces in the election campaign, which Modi has been doing all the time. But the commission has not taken any decision on the complaints and even after many weeks it is still examining them.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi files his nomination in Varanasi

A number of retired top bureaucrats had also written to the President about the “pusillanimity” of the EC in taking action against poll code violations and the erosion of its credibility as an independent, autonomous institution.

While The Times of India (TOI) reported that the EC may take up the MCC violation complaints pending against PM Modi at its meeting on April 30, there is nothing else to indicate any move in this direction.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1556280120678{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #e5e5e5 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]

Instructions on observance of MCC:

“No appeal shall be made on basis of caste/communal feelings of the electors.

No activity, which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes/communities /religious/linguistic groups, shall be attempted.

No aspect of the private life, not connected with the public activities, of the leaders or workers of other parties is to be criticised.

Criticism of other parties or their workers on the basis of unverified allegations or on distortions shall be avoided.

No temples/mosques/churches/gurdwaras or any place or worship is to be used for election propaganda, including speeches, posters, music etc, or electioneering, and

The candidates/campaigners/political leaders are to desist from displaying photograph of defence personnel or photograph of functions involving defence personnel in advertisement, or otherwise as part of their election propaganda/campaigning. They are also advised to desist from indulging in any political propaganda involving activities of defence forces.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1556280208749{border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #cecece !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]

Alleged violations of Model Code of Conduct by Modi

At a rally in Wardha in Maharashtra on April 1, Modi said that the Congress had hurt the sentiments of Hindus by coining the term ‘Hindu terror’. He also said that Rahul Gandhi had run away from ‘Hindu samaj’ and chosen to contest from a constituency where the majority community was a minority.

He mentioned the IAF strike on Balakot at another meeting in Maharashtra on April 9 and told the voters to dedicate their votes to the defence personnel. This was in effect a call for votes in the name of the armed forces.

He has referred to the surgical strikes against Pakistan many times from different platforms.

All this while, the Prime Minister has been ably assisted by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who called the armed forces “Modiji ki sena”.

While Adityanath had been gagged for 72 hours and the Congress’s Navjot Sidhu was also meted out the same treatment for appealing to Muslims not to divide their votes, the Election Commission has not yet taken a decision on the speeches of Modi in spite of several complaints.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mahendra Singh, president of the West Bengal Forum for Mental Health, in a complaint sent to the EC on April 20 said that by not acting on his repeated complaints about code violations by Modi, the poll panel violated MCC guidelines provided in chapter 23, page 227, TheWire reported.

Singh said these guidelines clearly state that “Complainants will also be informed of the action taken by SMS and by the call centre. Complainants can also see the details of the action taken on their complaints. This system should be operational within 24 hours of the announcement. All complaints should be dealt with promptly and properly.”

With the EC not providing any answers to why action has not been taken on his complaint against Modi, Singh asked: “When the guidelines are so clearly articulated by ECI in writing to all political parties and their strict compliance sought, then where is the scope for the Commission to sit on my complaint?”

He said if a report was submitted to the Commission on April 14 by the district and state officials, then “what is the justification of three ECI commissioners and their subordinate officials for not acting on it?”

“Are they themselves not responsible for the delay in taking action on the complaint?” he asked.

Singh said that on the first complaint against Modi on April 9, the EC had not responded. When he sent a reminder on April 12 to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora and the two ECs, he got an acknowledgement saying that action would be taken in two days. However, instead, the online status of the complaint was shown to be “default”.

Singh followed up with a second reminder on April 13, pointing out that he has been provided with some control room numbers by EC which were either switched off or not being answered. Singh reminded the poll panel that it was duty-bound to act on the complaint.

On April 15, Singh received a call from the EC’s director, who assured him that the grievance would be looked into and resolved. The same evening, Singh also received a message from the EC portal that his complaint has been disposed. On the portal as well, the status of the complaint had changed from ‘default’ to ‘Report Submitted to ECI on 14th April’.

However, there was still no information on the action taken.

On April 16, Singh sent his third reminder along with a mention of how the PM was “continuously taking advantage of non-action by Election Commission against its own direction of not to use the achievements of India’s armed forces for political campaigning purpose.”

Also Read: Ex civil servants demand withdrawal of terror-accused Pragya Thakur’s candidature

Then, on April 18, he sent his fourth reminder. This time he cited a Supreme Court observation that it was ‘happy that the EC has found its power’ and hoped that his complaint would be acted upon. He referred to how the previous day, the PM again used the Balakot airstrike for political purposes while addressing a rally at Balodabazar district in Chhattisgarh.

Singh also noted that the Election Commission guidelines issued on April 5 to president/chairperson/general secretary of all recognised national and state political parties had spelt out the instructions on the observance of MCC.

On his latest complaint, Singh said that from the evening of April 15 to April 24, the online status of his complaint was showing as “Resolved”.

However, on the night of April 24, it changed to “In Progress”.

He said that since no action had been taken on the complaint for a fortnight since its filing, the CEC and district election commissioner should take stringent action against ECI officials who are responsible for the delay.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Akhilesh Yadav launches SP’s 2027 UP poll campaign from Rahul Gandhi’s seat

Akhilesh Yadav launched the Samajwadi Party’s 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election campaign from Rae Bareli, represented by Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha.

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September 25, 2026

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Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has formally begun the party’s campaign for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, launching the outreach from Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha constituency represented by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Yadav travelled through the area on the party’s newly launched PDA Rath before addressing a public meeting. The campaign vehicle carries the Samajwadi Party’s PDA messaging, referring to its focus on backward classes, Dalits and minorities.

Akhilesh Yadav discusses alliance with Congress

During his Rae Bareli visit, Yadav said the Samajwadi Party would contest the 2027 election as part of an alliance and indicated that seat-sharing would be decided on the basis of winnability.

He said the party would give a seat to whichever alliance partner is considered capable of winning it. The remarks come against the backdrop of the SP and Congress having contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election together in Uttar Pradesh.

Rae Bareli has particular political significance for the Congress as Rahul Gandhi is its sitting Lok Sabha MP. Yadav’s decision to begin the campaign from the constituency therefore placed the SP’s alliance with the Congress in focus.

PDA Rath becomes centrepiece of campaign

The PDA Rath was rolled out as part of the SP’s mobilisation ahead of the 2027 Assembly election. The vehicle prominently carries the party’s PDA messaging, with PDA standing for Pichhde, Dalit and Alpsankhyak.

The campaign is aimed at taking the SP’s social-justice messaging to voters across Uttar Pradesh as the party prepares for the Assembly election.

During the programme, Yadav also attacked the BJP and raised issues including the Election Commission and what he described as the alleged misuse of election machinery. These are political allegations made by the SP chief and should be understood as such.

BJP reacts to Akhilesh Yadav’s campaign

The launch of the PDA Rath comes as political activity intensifies in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly election.

The BJP has responded to Yadav’s campaign and his political messaging, while the SP has continued to focus its outreach on the PDA social coalition and its alliance strategy with the Congress.

The 2027 contest is still ahead, with parties using the period before the election to strengthen their organisational networks, public outreach and alliance arrangements.

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Rahul Gandhi attacks CEC Gyanesh Kumar, says vote chori leads to kanoon chori

Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of failing to protect voters and linked his “vote chori” allegation to what he called “kanoon chori”.

Published

22 hours ago

September 24, 2026

APNLive Desk

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a fresh attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Narendra Modi government, alleging irregularities in India’s electoral process.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Mr Gandhi linked his earlier allegations of “vote chori” with what he described as “kanoon chori”, arguing that alleged manipulation of votes would have consequences for the country’s law-making and institutional systems.

“From vote chori comes kanoon chori,” Mr Gandhi said, arguing that if votes had been stolen, laws and institutional changes made by lawmakers elected through those votes would also be affected.

Rahul Gandhi attacks Gyanesh Kumar

Mr Gandhi specifically targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and questioned the Election Commission’s handling of the electoral process.

His remarks came amid reports of differences within the poll body over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Mr Gandhi referred to reported concerns involving the Election Commission and alleged that questions raised about the functioning of the poll panel had not been adequately addressed.

He also alleged that the Election Commission had failed in its responsibility to protect the vote, which he described as the foundation of India’s democratic and constitutional system.

‘Vote chori’ claim

Mr Gandhi reiterated his allegations of irregularities in elections and said the issue went beyond individual voters.

He argued that the vote gives power to the Constitution, while the Constitution provides the basis for laws and institutions. On that basis, he said alleged destruction of the voting process would have wider consequences for the country’s constitutional system.

Mr Gandhi also questioned what he described as the disappearance of anti-incumbency in elections involving the BJP, comparing recent electoral outcomes with earlier political trends.

He alleged that the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections had been manipulated. These remain allegations made by Mr Gandhi and should not be presented as established facts.

Attack on Modi and Amit Shah

During the press conference, Mr Gandhi also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah while making his allegations about the electoral process.

He questioned the role of the Election Commission and its leadership, and called for accountability over what he described as irregularities affecting India’s voting system.

Mr Gandhi said he was presenting evidence for his allegations and maintained that the issue concerned not only elections but also the functioning of democratic institutions.

The Election Commission’s reported internal differences over the SIR exercise formed part of the backdrop to his remarks. The claims made by Mr Gandhi concern his interpretation of those developments and are distinct from established findings about election manipulation.

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BJP hits back at opposition over EC row, says disagreement is democracy

The BJP has defended reported differences among Election Commissioners, saying internal deliberations are part of a healthy democratic process.

Published

2 days ago

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APNLive Desk

The BJP has defended the Election Commission amid a political row over reported differences among Election Commissioners concerning decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

BJP MP Sambit Patra said discussions and exchanges of views within the poll panel should be seen as part of the democratic process rather than as evidence of institutional dysfunction.

According to the BJP’s position, disagreement during official deliberations reflects the fact that members of an institution are able to put forward their views before decisions are taken.

BJP defends EC deliberations

Patra said that if the three Election Commissioners discuss and debate issues among themselves, such exchanges should not be characterised as dictatorship. He described such deliberations as a sign of a healthy democracy.

The BJP’s response came amid reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions over decisions and orders associated with the SIR exercise and electoral rolls.

The Election Commission has said that differences in views and observations are a normal part of deliberations within an institution. It has maintained that decisions, including those related to SIR, were taken unanimously.

Row centres on SIR process

The controversy comes against the backdrop of the ongoing political debate over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Opposition parties have raised concerns over the reported differences within the poll panel, while the BJP has sought to counter those arguments by pointing to the role of discussion and deliberation in institutional decision-making.

Patra also said the BJP’s understanding of the matter was based on media reports rather than access to the Election Commission’s internal documents. He said the documents, as reported, indicated that the SIR process was finalised after democratic deliberations and consensus.

What the Election Commission has said

The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion that the reported objections indicate a breakdown in its functioning.

It has maintained that differing opinions during deliberations are part of normal institutional functioning and that the decisions eventually taken by the commission were unanimous.