EC guidelines on manifestos

The Election Commission today issued guidelines on manifestos to political parties, asking them not to make such promises that disturbed the level-playing field and vitiated the atmosphere or exerted undue influence on voters.
While issuing the guidelines after incorporating the views of political parties during their meeting with them on February 7, the poll body included them as part of the Model Code of Conduct.
The guidelines say political parties or candidates should, in the interest of transparency, while making promises explain the rationale for the promises made and broadly indicate the ways and means to meet the financial requirements for it.

"Trust of voters should be sought only on those promises which are possible to be fulfilled," the Commission said.
It said the manifesto shall not contain anything repugnant to the ideals and principles enshrined in the constitution and that it shall be consistent with the letter and spirit of other provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.
EC said the Directive Principles of state policy enshrined in the constitution enjoin upon the state to frame various welfare measures for citizens and therefore there can be no objection to the promise of such welfare measures in manifestos.

"However, political parties should avoid making those promises which are likely to vitiate the purity of the election process or exert undue influence on the voters in exercising their franchise," the Commission held.

It said that in the interest of transparency, level- playing field and credibitity of promises, it is expected that manifestos also reflect the rationale for the promises made.
EC had earlier circulated draft guidelines in this regard and elicited the views of parties on the issue.
Parties, during their meeting with EC, had expressed divergent views and most of them were against issue of such guidelines saying making promises to the electorate was their right.
The guidelines come into effect in the wake of the Supreme Court directions on July 5, 2013, directing Election Commission to frame them and make them part of the Model Code.