CEC warns of action if parties and netas make anti-women remarks

MUMBAI: In a review meeting on the Maharashtra assembly polls on Friday, chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar strongly condemned undignified remarks made against female leaders during the election campaign.

This comes in the wake of derogatory language used against Congress leader Jayshree Thorat by BJP politician Vasant Deshmukh in a public meeting and also comments made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant about Shiv Sena candidate Shaina NC. Both incidents resulted in cases being lodged.

Kumar urged political parties and candidates to refrain from any utterances or actions that may be construed as being repugnant to the honour and dignity of women. He told state officials that any remarks by candidates or political leaders which insulted the dignity of women and violated the model code of conduct should be met with stern action.

Last week, NCP chief Sharad Pawar alleged that police vehicles were being used to transport cash to Mahayuti candidates. In response, Maharashtra's chief electoral officer S Chockalingam said that the district collectors were given strict instructions to prevent this.

On Friday, Kumar also stated that there should be strict vigilance to prevent any possibility of misuse of govt vehicles like ambulances and vans for circulating cash and valuables. He also emphasised the need for a strict watch with night patrolling, especially during the silence period, and a strict vigil on attempts to offer inducements like cash, liquor, drugs or freebies to influence voters.

Meanwhile, Kumar also urged state officials to try and enhance voter participation , especially in urban areas. He questioned why voters in regions like Bastar (68%) and Gadchiroli (78%) could come out and vote, but Colaba and Kalyan could not. Colaba in 2019 recorded only 40% voting, he said.

In J&K, constituencies like Doda, Reasi, Poonch, and Rajouri all recorded turnout exceeding 70% in the recent assembly polls. Sensitive areas like Manipur recorded 78% turnout in the Lok Sabha polls. However, one of the constituencies in Mumbai South saw close to half of eligible electors skipping voting altogether, he noted. Kumar also mentioned some high-rises in Gurgaon and Faridabad saw a turnout of 20% even when polling stations were set up in their society buildings in the Haryana elections.