The Election Commission of India (ECI) has actively responded to political grievances and enforced the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) since its implementation on March 16, 2024, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The EC's efforts to ensure a fair and unbiased election process have included responding to numerous complaints from various political parties.
The EC has received a total of 200 complaints from political parties and candidates, acting on 169 of these to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Among these, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged 51 complaints, with the EC acting on 38 cases. The Congress party filed 59 complaints, with action taken on 51 instances. Other political parties contributed 90 complaints, with 80 of these being addressed.
The ECI has highlighted several exemplary decisions taken to uphold a level playing field and maintain the dignity of all participants. One significant area of focus has been the upholding of respect towards women, where the EC issued notices to political leaders for derogatory and offensive remarks. Furthermore, the EC has held party presidents accountable for any disrespectful and derogatory comments made by their members.
To avoid overstepping judicial boundaries, the EC has carefully navigated issues that intersect with legal proceedings. It has also tackled anonymous political hoardings and enforced strict compliance with election laws and regulations.
Notable actions include legal proceedings against a DMK minister for derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister and directions to the Central Board of Direct Taxes to investigate discrepancies in asset declarations by Union Minister Chandrasekharan.
The EC has taken robust measures to prevent the misuse of government resources in campaigning. This includes directing the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to stop transmissions that could benefit the ruling party and ensuring that public broadcasters do not air politically biassed content. Additionally, the EC has ordered the cleaning of Chief Minister’s offices in six states and the removal of officials who might influence the electoral process due to their relations with political figures.
Throughout the electoral process, the EC has worked diligently to engage with and listen to political parties. Meetings with 16 delegations from seven political parties have taken place, reflecting the EC's commitment to transparency and fairness.
The EC's stringent enforcement of the MCC at the field level has been facilitated by the Vigil App, which helps monitor and manage electoral conduct effectively. Moreover, the EC has taken proactive steps to train over 800 District Magistrates or District Electoral Officers across 10 batches, ensuring that every officer is well-prepared to uphold electoral integrity without compromise.
In order to enable a free, fair, and credible election, the Election Commission of India has shown that it can manage the electoral process in a proactive and impartial manner by making sure that all political parties receive equal treatment and that the MCC is rigorously adhered to.
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