Maharashtra State Election Commission to take legal advice on 'Vote Jihad'

Mumbai – It was alleged that a certain community voted for some candidates in the name of ‘Vote Jihad’ in the Lok Sabha elections. The term ‘Vote Jihad’ is being used consistently in the assembly elections as well. Does voting happen on the basis of religion ? Is there a breach of code of conduct ? The Chief Election Officer of Maharashtra S. Chockalingam, at a press conference held on 16th October, informed that the Maharashtra State Election Commission will take legal advice in this matter and decide their policy. Chockalingam clarified the above position of the Election Commission on a question asked by the journalists whether the term ‘Vote Jihad’, which is constantly being used in election campaigns, violates the code of conduct ? About this, the co-election officer Kulkarni said, “Everyone has freedom of speech through the Constitution. Therefore, action may be taken if the code of conduct is violated by saying ‘Vote Jihad’. This will be verified.”

Complaint about the violation of code of conduct will be answered within 100 minutes

All the political parties have been given instructions on what to do and what not to do during the implementation of code of conduct. Meetings have also been held with political parties regarding this. Chockalingam said that if there is a complaint of violation of the code of conduct, it is expected to be answered within 100 minutes.

Voter registration till October 19

Voter registration is still going on. Citizens who have not yet registered as voters can do so by October 19. Chockalingam also said that voter registration will not be possible post this date until the election results are announced.

Cyber cell to act against objectionable messages

A committee has been set up to verify objectionable messages being circulated through social media. The Central Election Commission has held a meeting with social media organizations regarding this. This will lead to prompt action against offensive messages, as well as correct information about messages that convey wrong information, said Chockalingam.

Information provided by Chockalingam about the election process

The calculation of election expenses will start from the time the candidate fills in the nomination form. Election publicity materials purchased before filing of nomination papers and used after filing of nomination papers will also be included in election expenditure. The expenditure limit for each candidate for assembly elections is Rs 40 lakh. Central Certification and Control Committees have been set up at State and District levels to certify advertisements of political parties and candidates. This committee takes action on paid news. In order to enable Divyang (handicapped) voters to vote, the Election Commission has created an ‘app’ named ‘Saksham’ to increase registration of voters. The postal ballot facility will be made available at home to people with more than 40% disabilities, as well as to willing voters aged 85 years and above. In the year 2019, there were a total of 96,653 polling stations in the State. In the year 2024, the number of polling stations will be 1 lakh 186. Chockalingam said that the number of polling booths has increased by 3 thousand 533 in the upcoming elections as compared to the previous assembly elections.

69 lakh 23 thousand 199 voters increased in the State

The number of voters in the 2019 Legislative Assembly elections was 8 crore 94 lakh 46 thousand 211. Till October 15, the voter registration in the state is 9 crore 63 lakh 69 thousand 410. In this, male voters are 4 crore 97 lakh 40 thousand 302, female voters are 4 crore 66 lakh 23 thousand 77, while the number of transgender voters is 6 thousand 31. Chockalingam said that 69 lakh 23 thousand 199 voters have increased in the upcoming elections compared to the year 2019.

Proposal to the Central Election Commission for banning mobile phones in the polling stations

We have sent a proposal to the Central Election Commission that mobile phones should not be allowed up to 100 metres from the polling station; but the final decision about this has not come. Chockalingam said, “If there are any amendments, they will be announced before the elections.”