Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission on Friday asked parties and their leaders to refrain from seeking votes on the basis of caste, religion and language, and not insult the devotee-deity relation or make any suggestion of a divine censure.
In an advisory warning the parties, candidates and star campaigners of stern action for any violation of Model Code of Conduct instead of the previous practice of only 'moral censure', the poll panel also said that temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras or any other place of worship should not be used for poll propaganda or electioneering.
It said that the star campaigners and candidates who have received notices in past will face stern action for repeat violation of model code.
The advisory comes days before the model code is expected to come into effect with the announcement of the Lok Sabha and four state assembly polls later this month, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had recently emphasised that political parties should foster ethical and respectful political discourse which inspire rather than divide, promote ideas instead of personal attacks.
The Commission's advisory has now formally set the stage for ethical political discourse and cut clutter in 2024 General Elections, an official said, adding the methodical approach to MCC violations has prepared the ground for civilised campaigning.
The EC warned the parties to maintain decorum in public campaigning and put additional responsibility on star campaigners and candidates, especially those who were issued notices in the past.
It asked the parties to raise the level of election campaign to issue-based debate and said the parties and their leaders should not make statements without factual basis or mislead the voters.
The advisory also covered social media engagements, saying posts vilifying or insulting rivals, posts that are in bad taste or below dignity should not to made or shared.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Meet The 'Snake Man Of Surguja', Who Claims He Is Immune To Snake Venom
"Lok Sabha Elections In J&K Triumph Of Ballot Over Bullet": Poll Body Chief Assembly Elections Highlights: Election Commission Announces Assembly Polls Schedule Election Commission Reaches Jammu And Kashmir To Check Poll Preparedness "Trusted Mamata Banerjee But...": Father Of Murdered Doctor To NDTV What Murdered Doctor's Father Said About A Torn Page From Her Diary Flower Seller Forced To Buy iPhone For Son On Hunger Strike, Internet Reacts US Man Recalls Moment Pilot Said He Didn't Have "Qualification" To Land Former Kolkata Hospital Principal At CBI Office For Day 4 Of Questioning Elite Jewish High School Graduates Shun Columbia Amid Protest Turmoil Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.