During
the unveiling of the Lok Sabha election schedule on March 16th, Rajiv Kumar,
the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), emphatically declared the Election
Commission of India's (ECI) unwavering commitment to addressing the formidable
challenges posed by the '4 Ms' – the abuse of physical force, the undue
influence of wealth, the spread of misinformation, and violations of the Model
Code of Conduct (MCC). With a resolute tone, the CEC underscored the ECI's
steadfast determination to confront and mitigate these multifaceted threats,
which have the potential to undermine the integrity and fairness of the
electoral process.
With
an air of unwavering determination, he declared that the Election Commission of
India (ECI) would adopt an uncompromising stance against any acts of violence,
leaving no room for leniency. Moreover, he emphasized that the misuse of
financial resources for undue influence would not be permitted under any
circumstances. Extending his firm stance, he warned that violations of the
Model Code of Conduct (MCC) would face strict consequences, as political
parties were being placed on notice to adhere to the established norms and
guidelines.
The
Election Commission of India (ECI) has legitimate grounds for apprehension due
to the recurring episodes of influential individuals and entities flexing their
financial and physical might to sway electoral outcomes over the past few
decades. Empirical evidence paints a disquieting picture, with data revealing a
staggering 835 percent surge in the value of monetary assets confiscated during
the 11 state Assembly elections conducted in 2022-23, soaring to a whopping Rs
3,400 crore, in stark contrast to the polls held in 2017-18. This alarming
escalation in the deployment of illicit funds underscores the pressing need for
robust measures to safeguard the sanctity of the democratic process and ensure
a level playing field for all contenders.
The
states of Gujarat, Telangana, and Rajasthan emerged as the top contenders in
terms of cash seizures during the period spanning from 2017-18 to 2022-23,
particularly among the larger states. Gujarat took the lead, with a staggering
Rs 802 crore in cash seizures, marking a monumental surge of 2,847 percent. Hot
on its heels, Telangana recorded a substantial Rs 778 crore in seized cash,
representing a formidable 506 percent increase. Meanwhile, Rajasthan secured
the third position, seizing a remarkable Rs 704 crore, reflecting an
astonishing 951 percent escalation in cash confiscations over the same
timeframe.
While
physical intimidation and blatant electoral malpractices like booth-capturing
and ballot snatching were more prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s, the abuse of
money power continues to plague the electoral process. As per the observations
of former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat, there exists no simple,
one-size-fits-all solution to address such challenges. The only viable
approach, he suggests, is to reinforce the existing legal framework and
strengthen the laws governing electoral conduct. The misuse of financial
resources to unduly influence voters remains a persistent and pernicious evil
that demands sustained efforts to uphold the integrity of the democratic
process.
The
Election Commission of India has expressed concerns over the widespread
disregard for the Model Code of Conduct by political parties and their
campaigners. In an effort to address this issue, Chief Election Commissioner
Rajiv Kumar has revealed that the commission has meticulously documented all
instances of violations and has issued a final warning to the parties involved.
Kumar stated, "After compiling data on all infractions of the code, we
have issued a conclusive advisory to the political parties, urging them to
disseminate our guidelines to each of their high-profile campaigners." The
onus now lies on the parties to ensure that their star campaigners are made
aware of these guidelines. Kumar further emphasized that the commission is
determined to take a more assertive stance this time, acknowledging the
public's skepticism about the efficacy of their previous actions. "People
have questioned the impact of the numerous notices we issued in the past, as no
significant consequences followed," he admitted. However, the commission
has now vowed to go beyond mere moral censure. Kumar declared, "We will
also consider the past transgressions and adopt a calibrated approach to
address these violations."
In
an effort to maintain law and order during the elections, the Election
Commission of India (ECI) is implementing a multi-pronged strategy. Firstly,
they will strategically position personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces
(CAPFs) at key locations to prevent any potential displays of muscle power.
Additionally, the commission plans to leverage drone technology for enhanced
surveillance and monitoring at border areas. Furthermore, the ECI intends to
establish round-the-clock integrated control rooms at the district level, as
well as implement webcasting in polling booths deemed sensitive. These
comprehensive measures are aimed at ensuring a free and fair electoral process,
devoid of any untoward incidents or intimidation tactics.
Individuals
with a history of electoral offenses will be subjected to heightened monitoring
measures, according to officials from the Election Commission of India.
Concurrently, outstanding non-bailable warrants will be given top priority for
execution. In a concerted effort to ensure a fair and transparent electoral
process, a network of security checkpoints will be established across the
nation's expansive territory.
Aiming
to curb the influence of money in elections, the Election Commission of India
(ECI) has issued directives to enforcement agencies, urging them to take
stringent measures against the influx and distribution of liquor, cash, drugs,
and other freebies. The commission has instructed these agencies to adopt a
no-nonsense approach and deal firmly with the kingpins orchestrating the supply
of such illicit items. The ECI's move is a concerted effort to ensure a level
playing field and uphold the integrity of the electoral process by cracking
down on any attempts to sway voters through undue inducements.
Authorities
responsible for overseeing elections have announced stringent measures to
combat the unlawful dissemination of privileged materials and complimentary
offerings. Furthermore, they have pledged to maintain a heightened level of
scrutiny on unauthorized online financial transactions. These initiatives aim
to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure a level playing
field for all participants.
As
the day draws to a close, stringent measures will be enforced to prevent the
transportation of cash by banking institutions. The movement of cash via
armored vehicles will be prohibited after sundown. Furthermore, heightened
scrutiny will be applied to non-scheduled chartered flights, with particular
emphasis on identifying routes utilized for the illicit trafficking of cash,
liquor, and narcotics. Comprehensive surveillance and rigorous inspections will
be conducted to uncover any nefarious activities. Additionally, a live tracking
system has been implemented to monitor and record any seizures that may occur,
ensuring a comprehensive oversight of unlawful operations.
Aiming
to uphold the tenets of the model code rigorously, the election commission
intends to cultivate an atmosphere of political dialogue among parties that
unites rather than polarizes. Furthermore, it has advocated for campaigns
centered on substantive issues, urging politicians to abstain from inflammatory
rhetoric and appeals grounded in divisive factors such as caste and religion.
The commission's endeavor is to steer the political arena towards a more
constructive and inclusive discourse, steering clear of divisive narratives
that could potentially fracture the social fabric.
As
the nation gears up for the pivotal 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the election
commission has set its sights on fostering an atmosphere of decorum and
civility throughout the campaigning process. Drawing upon the lessons learned
from previous code violations, the poll body intends to meticulously analyze
past transgressions, utilizing this invaluable data to formulate stringent
guidelines. These measures aim to dissuade political parties from engaging in
personal attacks against their rivals, thereby promoting a more constructive
and issue-oriented discourse. By implementing these safeguards, the commission
hopes to elevate the electoral proceedings to a higher plane, where ideas and
policies take precedence over acrimonious rhetoric and character assassination.
In
an effort to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, the Election
Commission of India has taken a firm stance against the dissemination of
unsubstantiated and deceptive advertisements, as well as advertorials
masquerading as news reports by political parties. The commission has issued
directives urging parties to refrain from such practices. Furthermore, the ECI
has declared its intention to impose restraints on social media posts that
vilify or insult political rivals, fostering an environment of mutual respect
and decorum. Additionally, the commission will call upon prominent campaigners,
often referred to as "star campaigners," to uphold the highest
standards of conduct, ensuring that the campaign trail remains a platform for
constructive discourse and informed decision-making by the electorate.
The
rapid growth of social media platforms since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections has
made the challenge of controlling the dissemination of misleading or false
information even more formidable. In the digital age, where information can
spread like wildfire across various online channels, stemming the tide of
misinformation has become an uphill battle. The widespread adoption of social
media platforms has provided fertile ground for the propagation of questionable
content, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.
Addressing this issue will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders,
including social media companies, government agencies, and the public at large.
According
to N. Gopalaswami, the former Chief Election Commissioner, the more technology
advances, the greater the challenges become in combating its misuse.
OP
Rawat believes that legal reforms are imperative due to the emergence of
technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 'deep fakes', which will
present challenges in the foreseeable future. He emphasizes the necessity for
amendments to the IT Act and the Representation of the People Act, asserting
that current provisions are inadequate to address the complexities of evolving
technologies. Rawat underscores the importance of proactive measures to
anticipate and mitigate potential problems stemming from these advancements.
Rawat
underscores the urgency of addressing immediate challenges posed by 'deep
fakes' and AI. He recalls the proactive measures taken during his tenure at the
ECI, where engagements with social media platforms resulted in undertakings to
prevent the dissemination of misleading information.
During
his tenure as Election Commissioner during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Ashok
Lavasa reminisces about the collaborative efforts between the ECI and social
media platforms. Together, they established a code of ethics through mutual
discussions. Lavasa emphasizes the necessity for a legal framework to combat
misinformation, particularly the spread of false information via social media
during elections. He suggests that in cases where legal discrepancies exist,
the Election Commission can engage in dialogue with these platforms to develop
a code of ethics and seek their active cooperation.
The
Election Commission of India (ECI) intends to counsel political parties on
promoting responsible behavior on social media, particularly given the
significant presence and influence of IT cells within major parties.
Additionally, the ECI plans to take strict action against individuals
responsible for spreading fake news. Officials highlight the authority granted
by Section 79(3)(B) of the IT Act, enabling nodal officers in each state to
promptly remove unlawful content.
To
combat the proliferation of fake news and false narratives, the Election
Commission of India (ECI) has developed standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Additionally, the ECI has published a proactive communication titled 'Fakes —
Myth vs Reality' on its website, aiming to address misinformation effectively.
The
electoral authority has issued a stern call to all political parties and
candidates, urging them to prevent their supporters from engaging in hate
speech and spreading fake news. Vigilance over social media activity is being
maintained diligently to safeguard the integrity of the election environment
and prevent any disruptions.
The
Election Commission of India (ECI) has called upon the media to take proactive
measures in combating the spread of fake news. It emphasizes the vigilant
monitoring of election-related coverage across major national and regional news
channels. The ECI asserts its commitment to taking swift action in response to
any observed incidents or violations of laws or regulations during the
electoral process.
Monitoring
reports will be forwarded to the Chief Electoral Officers, who will then verify
the status of each item and generate action taken reports accordingly.
While
the Election Commission of India's strong strategy inspires hope, analysts
caution against overly optimistic projections.
According
to Jagdeep Chhokar, the founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms,
while announcing measures for seamless elections is one aspect, ensuring their
effectiveness on the ground is another challenge altogether. He emphasizes the
critical role of the Election Commission in guaranteeing the genuine
implementation of issued guidelines in practice.
As
the Election Commission of India endeavors to uphold the principles of free and
fair elections, it recognizes the pivotal test of fulfilling its commitments.
(Views
are personal. Email: dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
