ECI issues warning to SAD and AAP for violation of Model Code of Conduct

Chandigarh: The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab, in accordance with directives from the Election Commission of India, has issued warnings to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had used the phrase ‘Delhi ke Dalal’ in a video against Aam Aadmi Party’s State Convener and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections-2024, which is in violation of the guidelines of the MCC. The Shiromani Akali Dal later deleted the video.

Furthermore, using of children in election rally of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal, has been deemed to be a violation of the MCC. The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer of Ludhiana also submitted a report that children were used during an election campaign. Regarding the use of children in elections, there are clear guidelines from the ECI that children should not be used in election rallies/ campaigns.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has been warned for violating the directions issued by the ECI regarding the MCC and directed it not to repeat such mistakes in future and strictly follow the guidelines of the MCC of ECI in true letter and spirits in future.

On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been refrained from uploading posts/videos like ‘Unsacred Games of Punjab’. Also, the casteist remarks used by Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar for his political opponents have also been considered as a violation of the MCC issued by the Election Commission of India. The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer of Tarn Taran also submitted a report that the use of casteist remarks was in violation of the instructions of the ECI.

The Aam Aadmi Party has been warned for violating the Election Commission’s guidelines on MCC and directed it not to repeat such a mistake in future and strictly follow the guidelines of the model code of conduct of ECI in true letter and spirits in future.