New Delhi: Team Anna's proposal to campaign
against Congress in the forthcoming assembly elections in five
states raises questions of "propriety and ethics", Chief
Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi said today warning that
anything that comes in the way of free and fair elections is
not acceptable
Asked whether he would like to caution Team Anna, he said
"No. I think it (caution) will be a little strong word. I am
hopeful that nothing will be done which will disturb the
election process. Because anything that comes in the way of
peaceful and free and fair elections is not acceptable."
He said that from the election laws, there was nothing
legally wrong in such a campaign so long as they say don't
vote for any particular party.
"We don't have any problem because in a democracy they
have a right to oppose or support anybody. It should not be in
violation of the model code of conduct. There is no hate
speech and anything that leads to law and order problems.
"These are issues we are watching. We will ensure
absolutely that there is peace and order," Quraishi told PTI.
"At the same time there is a growing feeling of propriety
and ethics and whether this movement is entering into
politics. Then questions will be raised. We feel that it is
for the leaders of the movement that they should be very
careful that they will not be on the wrong side of the law,"
he said.
Quraishi said if anyone campaigns in favour of a
particular party or candidate, then the issue of election
expenditure comes in.
"So long as they are not saying vote for a particular
party or candidate, we don't have a problem (of expenditure),"
he said.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, December 25, 2011, 22:59