EC issues notice to BJP Karnataka president over advertisement making ‘unsubstantiated’ claims about Congress

The Election Commission on Monday issued a notice to the BJP’s Karnataka president Nalin Kumar Kateel for publishing an advertisement in an English daily with “unsubstantiated” claims, as alleged by the Congress.
“BJP has been asked to show reasons and provide verifiable and traceable facts by 2000 hrs of May 9, 2023, for the claims cited in the advertisement and explain why action shouldn’t be initiated against them for violating the MCC and relevant legal provisions under R P Act and IPC,” read the notice from ECI. The Commission received a complaint on May 8 from Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, claiming that the BJP published an advertisement in an English daily on May 8, making unsubstantiated claims about the Congress.
“While the Commission notes that the criticism of the policy and governance of the opposition parties is a right guaranteed enshrined in the constitution as well as an essential function of various political actors under our electoral process. However, while exercising this right and performing this essential function, the various political parties are expected to uphold high standards of public discourse and adhere to the various provisions of MCC and relevant laws,” the poll panel said in its statement.
The notice served on the BJP further read, “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.”
As had been stated in the Commission’s advisory of May 2, all national parties enjoy special enablement under the R. P. Act, 1951 and are expected to be the “most compliant with the MCC and legal framework”. The advisory on May 7 stated clearly 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, and also put it in the public domain.
Failing the above, the Commission has sought reasons from the BJP why action shouldn’t be initiated against it for violating the MCC and relevant legal provisions under R. P. Act and IPC.