State election panels issue directions for free, fair polls

NEW DELHI/KERALA/PUNJAB/UTTARAKHAND/RAJASTHAN: The state election commission of Kerala on Monday cautioned political parties in the state against the use of the Sabarimala issue for electoral purposes saying it would amount to the violation of the electoral code of conduct.

A day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections, following which the model code of conduct was imposed, Kerala Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Teeka Ram Meena said, “Using Sabarimala issue for poll campaigning is the violation of the code. Specific directions will be issued to political parties after a meeting with them. The campaign in the name of God or religion will not be entertained.”

Provisions of the model code of conduct, which came into effect on Sunday also bar candidates from invoking religion to seek votes; making speeches that can cause differences or tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic groups.

After the Supreme Court’s September 28 verdict that allowed women of all ages to worship at the hill temple, political parties such as the BJP have been at the forefront of agitation

KERALA POLL PANEL CAUTIONED PARTIES AGAINST THE USE OF THE SABARIMALA ISSUE FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES SAYING IT WOULD AMOUNT TO THE CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATION

to protest against the decision.

Trouble started when the Left Front government decided to implement the verdict, which overrules the tradition that bars women in the 10-50 age group from entering the temple, where the presiding deity Lord Ayyappa is considered to be in the form of “naistika bramachari [eternal celibate]”.

“The temple can’t be used to instigate religious feelings. It should not be given a religious dimension. We will keep a strict tab on such activities,” said Meena, adding the issue can’t be exploited blatantly to garner votes.

Both the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS have been pushing for reverting to the tradition of not throwing the temple doors open to women of all ages.

The BJP criticised the electoral officer’s statement. “The Election Commission can’t dic- tate what political parties should raise during the campaigning. The inept handling of the Sabarimala is a major issue and we will raise it strongly,” said state general secretary K Surendran. The ruling CPI (M) welcomed the directive.

In Rajasthan, the state poll panel chief Anand Kumar directed all the parties to cooperate with the poll panel in getting permissions for holding public meetings, rallies and vehicle rallies on time. Authorities will keep a strict vigil on social media platforms to check the spread of any fake news and hate speech to ensure free and fair polls, Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh said. He added that “appropriate action” will be taken against the violators.

In West Bengal, leaders of the Congress and the Left parties met the chief electoral officer and demanded that cut-outs and hoardings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee erected by government agencies be removed from different parts of the state.

In Uttarakhand, the CEO of the state, Saujanya said around one lakh officials will be employed across the state on the date of polling to ensure the process is carried out smoothly.