EC fiat to political parties on freebies

SC on July 5, 2013, ruled that freebies of any kind ‘influence’ all people

New Delhi : Political parties can no longer make tall promises on freebies in their election manifestos as they will now have to explain the rationale of their pledges and ways and means of meeting the financial requirements.

This follows an Election Commission move to create a level-playing field before elections following directions from the Supreme Court. In fresh guidelines to political parties on poll manifestos, the Election Commission has asked them not to make such promises that disturb the level-playing field and vitiate the atmosphere or exert undue influence on voters.

"Trust of voters should be sought only on those promises which are possible to be fulfilled," EC said. The Supreme Court noted in its July 5, 2013 verdict that though promises in manifestoes cannot be construed as a corrupt practice as per law, the distribution of freebies of any kind "influences" all people. "It shakes the root of free and fair elections to a large degree," the SC held, asking the poll body to ensure level playing field between contesting parties and candidates in elections and see that purity of election process does not get vitiated. While issuing the guidelines after incorporating views of political parties during their meeting with them on February 7, the poll body included them in the Model Code of Conduct.