LS Polls 2019: Has EC Done Enough to Uphold Model Code of Conduct?

Has the EC done enough in this Lok Sabha election to enforce the poll code, both in letter and in spirit?

Has the Election Commission done enough in this Lok Sabha election to enforce the poll code, both in letter and in spirit?

(Photo: The Quint)

The political discourse observed during this Lok Sabha election has been vituperative to the say the least, with both political factions engaging in mudslinging and personal attacks.

But if there is one clear theme that has emerged this election, it is the rampant and flagrant violation of the Model Code of Conduct imposed by the Election Commission of India.

This raises a pertinent question: Has the EC done enough to enforce the poll code, both in letter and in spirit?

To analyse the declining standards of the political discourse and the ineptness of the EC in curbing the said poll code violations, Om Prakash Rawat and TS Krishnamurthy, former Chief Election Commissioners of India, join in on the discussion.

“EC is too small an organisation to deal with so many complaints like this,” argued Krishnamurthy. “But, we must respect our constitutional authorities.”

Rawat, on the other hand, said, “Had the complaints been disposed of in a timely manner by the EC, then the situation would’ve been completely different.”

“Another thing is transparency. Whatever order is passed by the EC, one has to bring (the reasoning) behind it into the public domain,” he added.