The Election Commission cannot be so selective – Editorial
The 2019 Lok Sabha election has perhaps been among the most controversial elections in recent history. Not only has political discourse been reduced often to crudities and abuses, but there have been multiple instances of politicians stepping out of line, violating the Model Code of Conduct, even inciting animosity and hatred between communities.
It is the duty of the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that all political actors play by the rules of the game. Delayed as it may have been, EC has indeed taken a string of laudable steps. By imposing curbs on campaigning on Yogi Adityanath, Mayawati, Azam Khan and Pragya Singh Thakur, EC showed that along with its moral authority, it has the power and the inclination to act if electoral politics turns communal.
But when it comes to some of the most powerful political leaders in the country, EC has not lived up to expectations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be the PM, but in the electoral battlefield, he is just another leader campaigning hard for his party. Despite EC’s guidelines, Mr Modi has repeatedly used the Balakot strikes and the valour of the armed forces in his campaign for political advantage.…
SEE ALSO:
- Gautam Gambhir: The Opener Who Became A Nightwatchman (Chowkidaar) – By Priyansh (May 10, 2019, Huffington Post)
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/gautam-gambhir-the-opener-who-became-a-nightwatchman-chowkidaar_in_5cd5545ce4b0796a95d9ef44 - 17th Lok Sabha looks set to confirm Ambedkar’s fears: no vocal Dalits in Parliament – By Dilip Mandal (May 8, 2019, The Print)
https://theprint.in/opinion/17th-lok-sabha-looks-set-to-confirm-ambedkars-fears-no-vocal-dalits-in-parliament/232383 - Hindutva exploits Hinduism for political gains – Ashutosh with G. Sampath (May 10, 2019, The Hindu)
https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha-2019/hindutva-exploits-hinduism-for-political-gains-ashutosh/article27092700.ece - Statements during 2019 Lok Sabha elections campaign go against principle of universal franchise – By Seema Chishti (May 6, 2019, Indian Express)
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/electing-a-new-people-5711677/
