A new law to deal with dynamically evolving political situations during elections is “desirable”, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said in New Delhi on Thursday.
Mr. Zaidi, who was speaking a day after Assembly elections concluded in five States, including Uttar Pradesh, said the Commission noticed that many people tried to be “tangential” to the Model Code of Conduct in these polls, thus sidestepping its provisions.
“Some people can criticise that the code of conduct was not very effective. It could have been more effective, more action should have been taken. But people try to be very, very tangential so that when you apply provisions, probably they may not fall under the ambit,” he said.
Refusing to elaborate, he said he would not say anything further at this point of time.
“Election management, social and political situations are dynamically evolving and it is likely that in future some law is needed to deal with a particular situation... it is desirable,” he told PTI in an interview.
At the same time he rejected suggestions that the Commission is not equipped to deal with issues of electoral violations.
“You cannot say the Commission is ill-equipped. It is equipped with a framework and strict implementation will continue. But depending upon the situation arising from election to election, new legal framework may be needed,” he said.
The Commission had evolved a framework based on court verdicts and directions. “It has become a guiding law,” Mr. Zaidi said.
The Commission expected all responsible instruments of the State — politicians, media, candidates, persons in the government — to comply with the law. “And by and large they do follow,” he noted.
Mr. Zaidi rejected allegations that the Commission used different yardsticks for leaders when it came to complaints of model code violations.
“The Commission always examines facts and circumstances of a case and in cases which are not similar on facts and circumstances, it, in its wisdom, takes different courses. Cases which are similar in nature will get similar treatment to the extent possible,” he said.
The Commission headquarters here only considered cases where star campaigners are involved, the number of cases tackled by it was limited.
“Model code remains an effective instrument...when you start taking action against some, others get the message,” he said.
