Take steps to check hate speeches, distribution of money in polls: CPM to EC

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, August 12

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) should take stringent steps to check distribution of liquor and money among electors, misuse of government machinery and speeches inciting religious/ caste sentiments in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

In a press note issued here, Surendra Singh, state secretary of the party, said the demand was raised by a three-member delegation of the party comprising Virendra Malik, Om Prakash and Satish Sethi, before an ECI’s team in Chandigarh on Monday.

The ECI team had invited representatives of all eight recognised state and national political parties in Chandigarh to seek their suggestions regarding the conduct of the upcoming Assembly elections in a fair and independent manner, he added.

Malik said, “Our delegation questioned the ECI team as to why there is such a huge difference between the votes polled and counted in the recently held 18th Lok Sabha elections and how will the ECI ensure parity in the coming Assembly elections? The delegation also informed the team that in violation of the election code of conduct, the ruling party lures voters with money and liquor. Our team also asked it to share the information about what steps is the ECI going to take to stop the misuse of government machinery, influencing voters on the basis of religion and caste?”

He said the delegation suggested to the ECI team that the election observers appointed during the elections should take suo motu cognizance of the violation of the model code of conduct for ensuring action against the violators. They should be easily available to the representatives of the parties and should take prompt action on the complaints received from them.

The CPM demanded that stringent steps should be taken to stop hate speeches and propaganda during the campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections.