Even as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, is mired in a controversy over not revealing his marital status while filing his nomination in earlier elections, Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath on Saturday said the Election Commission would examine whether such an issue would attract disqualification of a candidate.
“A complaint has been received just as we were leaving for this tour. There are some very clear judgments by the Supreme Court in this matter. The complaint will be examined in the light of the relevant provisions of the law and the judgment of the Supreme Court,” said Mr. Sampath, while responding to a question whether not divulging marital status would attract disqualification.
But neither the questioner nor Mr. Sampath mentioned Mr. Modi’s name.
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Asked about hate speeches, the CEC, who was here to review the preparation for the Lok Sabha polls, said it was one of the matters of grave concern for the Commission and it was already seized of the matter.
“We have written a strong letter to the Uttar Pradesh government on the need for filing not only an FIR but also to take consequential action in every case of such hate speech inciting communal feelings. And where we feel there is no option, we have also said those who indulged in repeat violations shall not be given permission to address public meetings during the election period,” he said.
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Mr. Sampath said the EC had communicated these instructions to all the States and Chief Electoral Officers to take similar action in the event of such things happening in their States.
He, however, clarified that the question of preventing those who had indulged in hate speech from contesting elections — Amit Shah and Azam Khan — did not arise as they were not contestants.
“In any case, we have initiated action against these persons,” he added.