Disqualify parties promising free stuff in elections: PIL in Supreme

Promises of free services to the public at public expense are a form of bribery

Attracting voters by promising free will is a violation of the values ​​of democracy and constitution: Argument in the petition

New Delhi: A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court over election promises made by political parties to attract voters. The petition demands that political parties make free promises to the public at public expense. Political parties making such promises should be deregistered and the election symbol of such parties should be confiscated.

The PIL calls for a complete ban on greedy promises made at election time to gain unethical benefits from voters. The petition, filed by petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay, further demands that the Supreme Court direct the Central Government to enact a special law in this regard.

The petition filed in the court claims that such lucrative promises affect the elections. This kind of activity of political parties is a threat to the very existence of the values ​​of democracy. Political parties promise to give these benefits to the people at the expense of the people. Which also affects the values ​​of the Constitution. This practice of gaining power by political parties is in a way similar to bribery.

It should be banned immediately to protect the values ​​of democracy. The temptation offered by political parties also affects the Election Commission's desire to hold transparent elections.

Political parties promise to distribute various goods and services to the voters for free with their own money. When in fact these goods or services are provided only by the income which is generated by the public i.e. public earnings. This violates Articles 14, 162, 266 (3) and 282 of the Constitution.