ECI Reprimands BJP and Congress, Rejects Defences on Campaign Remarks as ‘Not Tenable’

On Wednesday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued strict directives to BJP national president JP Nadda and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, instructing them to ensure that their party’s star campaigners adhere strictly to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during election campaigns.

In separate letters to Nadda and Kharge, the ECI expressed concern that the statements made by these campaigners often follow damaging patterns and narratives that could have lasting negative impacts beyond the MCC period. The Commission emphasized that technical loopholes or extreme interpretations of opponents’ remarks do not absolve campaigners of their responsibility to ensure their own statements are constructive and do not degrade the quality of campaign discourse.

“Elections are a process where political parties not only contest to win but also present themselves in their ideal best for the voting community to experience, emulate, and build hopes on,” the ECI stated. “This aspect constitutes a precious heritage of Indian elections and our electoral democracy, which should not be weakened by anyone, including your party.”

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The ECI rejected the defenses offered by both parties regarding the alleged remarks made by their star campaigners, deeming them “not tenable.”

Nearly a month after issuing a notice to Nadda concerning opposition claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a divisive speech in Rajasthan’s Banswara, the poll body directed the BJP president to instruct star campaigners to avoid speeches with religious or communal content. Similarly, the ECI instructed Kharge to ensure that campaigners refrain from making misleading statements suggesting that the Constitution of India could be abolished or sold.

Additionally, the ECI reiterated the need for compliance with its five-year-old advisory, which mandates that party campaigners and candidates avoid political propaganda involving the activities of the Defence forces and refrain from making potentially divisive statements about the socio-economic composition of the Defence forces.

The ECI has asked the presidents of both national parties to issue formal notes to their star campaigners, urging them to correct their discourse, exercise caution, and maintain decorum during their campaigns.