The Election Commission on Sunday dismissed claims that its tweet using India’s armed forces to urge people to vote had violated its own r...
The Election Commission on Sunday dismissed claims that its tweet using India’s armed forces to urge people to vote had violated its own rules of Model Code of Conduct, reported NDTV. The poll panel said the code applied to political parties and not in this case.
In a tweet posted on Saturday, the poll panel appealed to people to vote ahead of the fourth phase of voting in West Bengal. “They sacrifice for their country. Can’t you even vote for the country?” it read. “Vote is not only your right, but also your duty. Cast your vote fearlessly.” The tweet also showed cartoonist RK Laxman’s cartoon character “The Common Man” paying a tribute to the soldiers’ memorial.
The Election Commission defended the use of the advertisement. “In the instant case, what mileage and for whom any mileage is sought by the Commission by sending out an appeal,” the poll body asked, according to NDTV. “Kindly see the text of the ad. [It says] in clear words that if defence personnel can give their lives fighting for the nation, why should voters not step out of their home and hearth to come to the polling booth and vote freely and fearlessly.”
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— Election Commission of India #SVEEP (@ECISVEEP)...
