EC to call parties on SC manifesto order

Days after the Supreme Court urged the Election Commission to frame guidelines on content of manifestos of political parties, the poll panel Monday decided to call a meeting of all recognized parties on the issue, an official statement said.

"The commission has taken note of the Supreme Court directions that it should frame guidelines regarding the election manifestos of political parties. It has decided to seek the views of political parties in the matter before taking up further action," it said.

According to the statement, the meeting is being called to hold consultations on implementation of the Supreme Court judgment with both national and state level parties recognised by the poll panel.

The date for the meeting will be fixed very soon, said a poll panel official.

In its order of July 5, the apex court had urged the political parties to refrain from offering freebies to the voters in their poll manifestos as it disturbs the level playing filed and shakes the very root of democracy.

The EC has sent a copy of the judgment to the recognized parties for their information and firming up of views, said the statement.

The Commission will shortly circulate a background paper in the matter among political parties, it said.