Election Commission Issues Showcause Notices To Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi

New Delhi:

The Election Commission tonight issued showcause notices to AIADMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and DMK president M Karunanidhi for violating model code, saying their election manifestos do not "substantially" fulfil its guidelines.

The two notices, which has virtually similar wordings say that prima facie the manifestos of the two parties "have not substantially fulfilled the guidelines of the Commission".

The poll panel gave them time till 5 pm on May 15 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."

The Commission warned that if the two leaders fail to respond to the showcause notice, it will take "further appropriate action" against their parties without further reference to them."

The showcause notice is based on complaints from people regarding the election manifestos.

Referring to the guidelines on election manifesto for political parties and candidates, the Commission reminded the two parties 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.