Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stated that the freebies offered by political parties and state governments have a touch of populism. He mentioned that it is challenging for winning parties to actually implement these giveaways or put an end to this practice.
Kumar addressed the issue of freebies during a press conference held to announce the election schedule in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Mizoram. He mentioned that state governments tend to remember these sops just a month or a fortnight before the poll schedule is announced, despite not considering them for five years.
The matter regarding freebies is currently under judicial review, and the Election Commission will take action once there is clarity and a decision on the matter.
The Chief Election Commissioner pointed out that the Election Commission had recently introduced a proforma, asking parties and states to explain how and when they will fulfill the promises made in their election manifestos. The proforma emphasized the importance of informing voters about the implementation process, including financial aspects such as debt-to-GDP ratio, interest payment to total revenue, adherence to fiscal responsibility targets, potential reduction in existing schemes to accommodate new promises, and the possibility of increased tax burden on citizens.
The aim of this proforma was to bring transparency by making all information public. Kumar stressed the importance of voters understanding the financial viability of these promises and the need for a balance between present benefits and the impact on future generations.
Kumar concluded by stating that these announcements of freebies have a populist appeal and are challenging to implement or stop. Therefore, voters have the right to know how these giveaways will be fulfilled.
The Election Commission proposed amending the model code in October last year, aiming to require political parties to provide authentic information on the financial feasibility of their poll promises. This proposal emerged amidst the ongoing debate between freebies and welfare measures, which has sparked political confrontations.
