Poll manifesto freebies: EC calls all-party meet Aug. 12
Following directions of the Supreme Court, the Election Commission is scheduled to hold a meet of various political parties on August 12 for framing guidelines on “freebies” in election manifestos.
The move comes after the top court order which says there is no enactment that directly governs the contents of the election manifesto.
The Commission has also sought the opinion of various political parties on the matter before making rules on allurements in election manifestos.
It is learnt that the poll body is planning to formulate a clear policy on defining freebies announced by parties ahead of elections.
Political parties have also been invited to give their views on the contentious issue of defining “freebies” after which the EC will take a call, official sources said. Political parties have been rooting for announcement of benefits and said that these were meant for the welfare of the poor.
The Supreme Court while disposing of a special leave petition on July 5 had asked the Commission to frame guidelines about such promises announced by political parties in their manifestos.
The SLP had challenged the freebies announced by the Tamil Nadu government.
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