Give ‘verifiable’ facts to back claims against Cong: Election Commission to BJP

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday issued a notice to the BJP over its newspaper advertisement making allegedly unsubstantiated claims against the Congress, and asked it to convey the “verifiable and traceable” facts in support of these claims by 8 pm on Tuesday.
The BJP advertisement — published in a national daily on Monday — accused the Congress of pursuing votebank politics, including talking of separation of Karnataka from India.It further alleged that if Congress came to power, it would withdraw cases against proscribed outfit Popular Fro nt of India, scrap reservations for SCs/ STs and OBCs in favour of “one community”, and disable the Lokayukta to continue corruption.
The notice to the BJP is a near replica of the one sent to the Congress a couple of days ago over a newspaper advertisement published on May 5 in national and local newspapers, citing specific rates charged under the incumbent BJP regime for appointments and transfers in senior government posts and also for government contracts. Sources in the EC told TOI that the Congress has submitted its reply to the notice, in which it is believed to have said that the alleged rates were in the public domain. It has also purportedly sought further time to submit more facts in this regard.
The notice served to BJP on Monday states: “While general claims and accusations are part of election campaigns, specific allegations and claims about the opponents need to be supported by verifiable and traceable facts. Any claim made without basis and empirical evidence has the potential of misleading the voters thereby robbing them of their right of making right and informed choices amongst the candidate thus disturbing the level playing field”.
Pointing to its advisory sent to all parties on May 2, EC said national parties, which enjoy special enablement under the R. P. Act, 1951, are expected to be the most compliant to the MCC & legal framework. A second advisory dated 07.05.2023 also provides that unverified allegations or claims should not be made in advertisements.
The Commission has directed BJP to convey the verifiable and traceable facts regarding the claims made in the advertisement given by them along with an explanation, if any, by 2000 hrs. on May 9, 2023 and also put that in public domain.
Failing the above, the Commission has sought reasons for why action shouldn't be initiated against the BJP for violation of tje model code of conduct and relevant legal provisions under R P Act and IPC.