Additional Chief Electoral Officer warns candidates against statements hurting sentiments

Ranchi, October 26- Jharkhand’s Additional Chief Electoral Officer (ACEO) Neha Arora has cautioned political party candidates against making statements to hurt anyone’s sentiments.

Addressing the media at Ranchi on Saturday, Neha Arora said that political parties and candidates should avoid making statements that hurt anyone’s sentiments. Such statements are a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

“FIR will be lodged against it and action will be taken. An advisory has already been issued in this regard. These guidelines of the Election Commission are being made available to political parties and candidates again,” said Arora  at Election House in Dhurwa Ranchi.

Neha Arora said that the Election Commission’s guidelines mainly state that no appeal will be made on the basis of caste/communal sentiments of voters. Political parties and workers will not make any false statements without factual basis with the aim of misleading voters. Other parties or workers of other parties should not be criticized by distorting facts without proven allegations. Any aspect of the personal life of leaders or workers, which is not related to public activities, will not be criticized.

“This is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct,” said Neha Arora.

She further said that the lowest level of personal attack will not be used to insult one’s opponent.

She said that places of worship will not be used for election campaigning. Especially references to religious ridicule and condemnation cannot be made.

“Political parties and candidates have to refrain from any such act/action/statement, which can be considered against the honor and dignity of women. Unverified and misleading advertisements will not be given in the media. Advertisements will not be given in a disguised manner as news content. Putting/sharing posts on social media that insult or disrespect opponents, hurting their dignity will be considered a violation of the Model Code of Conduct,” she said.

The statement assumes significance after BJP alleged cabinet minister and Congress Jamtara seat candidate Irfan Ansari of making derogatory statements against tribal woman candidate of BJP Sita Soren.

805 file nomination for first phase

Jharkhand’s Additional Chief Electoral Officer (ACEO) Neha Arora said that a total of 805 nominations have been registered in 43 assembly constituencies in the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly Elections-2024.

Among them, the highest number of 32-32 nominations have been made in East and West Jamshedpur. The lowest number of nominations have been registered in Simaria and Khunti, 11-11. So far, 19 FIRs have been registered against violation of the Model Code of Conduct and action is being taken. Since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, illegal material and cash worth Rs 57.66 crore have been seized in the state.