Can't act against parties not fulfilling poll promises: Election Commission

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has said that it has no power to take action against political parties if they fail to deliver on their election promises even as it urged them to desist from making such commitments.

"On the issues of parties failing to fulfil their manifesto pledges, the EC has no constitution power. But on the Supreme Court's order it has, after consultation with all recognised political parties, framed guidelines to be followed for election manifesto," the election body said in an RTI reply.

In the direction on the election manifesto in part 8 of the Model Code of Conduct, it has been stated that the Supreme Court had on July 5, 2013 ordered the EC to frame guidelines in this regard in consultation with all recognised parties.

The SC had said that a separate head for manifesto guidelines could be included in the 'Model Code of Conduct for the Guidance of Political Parties and Candidates'.

The EC had thereafter discussed the issue with the representatives of all political parties. While some of the parties had agreed to the idea of framing guidelines on poll manifesto, others had dismissed it, saying that they have the right to make manifesto pledges in a democracy.

The EC has in principle agreed to the political parties' assertion that drafting a manifesto is their right but said that for the fair conduct of elections and to accord a level playing field to all parties and contesting candidates, it can't disregard the effect of poll promises and freebies.

The election body has also asked all the political parties to desist from making promises that bear consequences on the poll outcome.