EC notice: AIADMK replies, DMK seeks more time

CHENNAI: A day after Election Commission issued notices to heads of AIADMK and DMK, J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi respectively for allegedly violating model code of conduct with regard to their poll manifestos, the former has replied while DMK has sought more time to respond.

"The reply of AIADMK has come and DMK has requested more time for response. Matter is under Commission's consideration," a senior electoral official said without elaborating.

On Saturday, the EC had issued show cause notices to Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi for violating model code, saying their parties' election manifestos did not "substantially" fulfil its guidelines.

The notices had said that prima facie the manifestos of the two parties "have not substantially fulfilled the guidelines of the Commission".

The poll panel had given them time till 5 PM today to respond "to explain your stand for non-compliance of the guidelines of the Commission and also reflect the rationale for the promises made in your manifesto and broadly indicate the ways and means to meet the financial requirement for the same."

It had warned that if the two failed to respond to the show cause notice, it will take "further appropriate action" against their parties without further reference to them."

The show cause notices were based on complaints from people regarding the election manifestos.

Referring to the guidelines on election manifesto for political parties, it had reminded them of section 3, which says that "in the interest of transparency, level-playing field and credibility of promises, it is expected that the manifesto also reflects the rationale for the promises and broadly indicate the ways and means to meet the financial requirement for it.

"Trust of voters should be sought only on those promises which are possible to be fulfilled."

Parties in Tamil Nadu are known to promise things like colour TV, mixer grinder, ceiling fans and free rice in their election manifestos.

This time too, the two parties had made a slew of promises like free mobile phones and 3G/4G connections.