In an open letter addressing to all the registered political parties, India’s apex body on elections has advised providing clear-cut and accurate information to the voters about their pre-poll promises in their election manifestos.
The letter came right after the announcement of a by-election on 7 Vidhan Sabha seats in 6 different states and ahead of mega assembly elections in Gujarat later this year.
The letter from Election Commission to the political parties also made the explicit mention was providing the voters with details on whether they have enough financial resources to fulfill their promises or not and how will they arrange funds for it.
The commission went on to write the political parties must furnish the information about how legit are their promises, clearly in a set format. The country’s election apex wing said, “We can’t sit blindfolded in this regard, if the political parties are making only false claims, it will have far-reaching effects.”
The commission has asked the political parties to provide their responses on the matter latest by October 19th. The letter came in the backdrop of freebies cases which remain sub judice at the Supreme Court.
On the 11th of August during the hearing, the commission filed an affidavit in the matter pertaining to the free scheme at the court, in which it said that there is no set or standard definition of the goods that are free or are illegal in nature.
Over the period of time, the definition of what is free keeps on changing, however, the commission’s response was reprimanded by the judge hearing the matter.
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The matter around freebies dates back to decades in the history of Indian politics and is deeply rooted to no surprise the step has worked immensely worked well for the political parties across the length and breadth of the country over the years.
In recent times as well the political parties have projected a string of free allurements to consolidate their vote bank in the region, among them some of it are mentioned below:
• In the Punjab elections, AAP promised Rs 1,000 a month to all women above 18 years of age, alongside AAP the once ruling SAD government promised Rs 2, 000 to every woman.
• In UP elections, Congress vowed to give Rs, 2000 to all housewives and a smartphone to girl students in the state.
• The ruling BJP promised of giving 2 crore tablets in Uttar Pradesh.
• Kejriwal-led AAP which is aggressively campaigning in Gujarat has promised the unemployed youths in the state of giving Rs 3, 000 each.
• In the 2020 Assembly elections, the BJP-JDU coalition in Bihar announced free vaccines if voted to power.