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ELECTION  MANIFESTOS : WHILE ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

Publications, Research paper

Bhanuprakash P Hegde[1]

ABSTRACT : –

           Election manifestos are stated by political parties while campaigning during the election time. These manifestos include wide range of the offers, plans programmes and schemes of the particular campaigning party that are all executed or implementated if the party came to power bythe votes of the persons in that specific area. The agenda of the political parties is to gain popularity, get support of the public by way of gaining votes from voters. The proofs for the manifestos released by the political parties is that the public. These manifestos release while speechs made by the political leaders,  the aim is to remember the leader and to keep engage the audience i.e voters. These manifestos released prior to elections on any document black and white, but these political parties will try to escape from the liability of those ‘promises’ and ‘freebies’ mentioned, which are forgotten after elections. Though there exists certain laws and guidelines to oppose manipulation of the voters by giving a glimpse of the freebies prior to elections, but these will not sufficient and not stop parties from giving such manifestos. In many cforeign countries there exists laws that binds the political parties, if they wish to release their manifestos they have to get prior permission from the election commissions. This paper analyses the current scheme of the manifestos realising prior to elections, regulation of such manifestos, discusses the possible situations, postion in other foreign countries, conclusion and suggestions.

KEYWORDS :-

Election, Election Manifesto(s), Freebies, Policy, Promises, Karnataka.

INTRODUCTION :-

Election manifestos gain popularity only during the period of the elections. At the period of the elctions only it has become the hot topic to be discussed on various platforms. The manifestos mainly include the policies, programmes, goals, schemes cited by the particular political parties. The issues mainly contains the various form of policies and techniques to gain votes from the voters, containing international policies, state policies,welfare schemes to the chemes for specific groups and communities. All of those manifestos are meant to represent position of the political parties, by that comparing with the other  political parties leads to make an comparative choice by the voter. However, without having proper regulation, political parties will release the unrealistic, non-complaiable manifestos aimed to gain votes by manipulating the vulnerable and the poor classes of the population by assuring the ‘freebies’ and ‘promises’ in the name of manifestos.

                                 Morever, contents of election manifestos by the political parties targets certain sections of the society such as vulnerable class, womens, castes, relegion promising certain special monetary and non monetary benifits and also providing certain services to these communities. All of these can be said collectively  as ‘vote bank politics’. Freebies play major role in the Indian elections because amount of freebies given during elections determines their votes during voting made by voters. The present paper aims to critically analyse the cotents /agenda of the election manifestos by political parties and guidelines to the political parties by Election Commission of India. And it suggests to impose certiain regulation to political parties in respect of the manifestos declared prior to elections, through taking inspiration from the other foreign countries around the globe and systematizing the manifestos.

REASEARCH METHODOLOGY :-

This paper is purely based upon the pre existing documents ond literature that are present on online platforms.

                          This reasearch paper is designed in the manner that it deals with the diffrent aspects of the issue, of child abuse such as-

What is freebies?

Types of freebies in manifestos?

How freebies manipulates  the voters?

What are the laws concerning promises and freebies in the forms of manifestos during the time of elections?

Position in other foreign countries around the globe

Suggestive methods to govern political parties  to declare manifestos during the time of elections.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE :-

An overview of the body of knowledge regarding the election manifestos during election campaigns in India is provided by the review of the literature. It examines many academic studies,reports, in addition papers that have been written about the topic. The literature review illustrates the various veiwpoints and justifications put forth by politicians, legal professionals, and election commission during declaration of freebies. It acts as the analysis and arguements that follow in this article.

METHOD:-

What is a freebies?

Political parties promise to offer free electricity in the name of gruhajyoti, monthly allowance for womens in the name of gruhajyoti, free busses for women in the name of shakti yojane,  water supply, monthly allowances for graduated unemployees as well as gadgets like laptop and smartphone for students etc… in order to gain more votes compared to other political parties. In giving such guarantees some political parties and states have become habituated, be in the form of waiving off farmers loans, free electricity, cycle laptop, smart gadgets and so on..[2]

Free and fair elections are the heart and soul of vibrant democracy, they led tochange in the government and policies.[3] The universal fact that the citizens or voters of that particular area are able tomake choice of the leader to form the government concerning their area of governance in the modern democratic era. In order to excerscise their right to vote conferred under the Constitution of India under article 326, voter can make their choice from i.e, candidates in the elections. The motive of the political parties to make politics, freebies and promises that to ultimately gain more votes in the elections . The political parties while campaigning during the elections they do various forms of rallies, speeches that to ultimaly connect with the voters, and at the state, national and local levelsthese manifestos plays an very important role.

In the twentieth   century itself INDIA got indipendence and adopted democratic form of governance i.e, “By the people, For the people, And the people”. In the later twentieth century due to drastic development in the communication media gave diffrent dimension to the election campaign that leads to campaigning in the twentieth century is more easier. In twenty first century there exists wide number of social media and other communication media that helps political parties to reach their target to each and every individual. Compared to earlier at that period of time the political parties need to prepare their agenda sitting in their head office and that need to be published in the journals, magzines, newspapers, radio, televisions, wallsticks and such other sources by that they need to convey it to the voters, that is completly a diffrent scenario.[4]

‘Manifesto’ is derived from the latin word ‘manifestum’ meaning clear or conspicious.[5] According to Oxford dictionary manifesto means the public declaration of the policy and aims of a group such as a political party[6]. Manifesto according to britanica, a document publicly declaring the position or program of its issuer. A manifesto advances a set of ideas, opinions, or views, but it can also lay out a plan of action. While it can address any topic, it most often concerns art, literature, or politics. Manifestos are generally written in the name of a group sharing a common perspective, ideology, or purpose rather than in the name of a single individual[7]. The reason behind to publish the document is that, declaring ideologies, views, intentions, policies, programmes, freebies. The motive of the manifesto of the political party is that to ultimately succeding in elections only.

Over the period of time, these manifestos played crucial role in the elections. These manifestos contains minimum words with thaving a brief idea of the programmes or freebies of the concerned political parties. These are prepared by the expers. Though manifestos are in brief but also majority won’t read the manifestos,the “promises” made by the political parties will play an important role in gaining more number of votes. Althoough these manifestos released prior to elections there is no guarantee that the promises made by the political parties will execute the promises.[8]

With the Bharatiya janata party (here in after called as ‘BJP’) also declared it’s manifestocontaining Ram Mandir in ayodhya, abrogating art 370 of the Constitution of Indi, and enhancing legislation and protection of cow made in 2014 elections.

Recently during the karnataka elections the Congress a political party declared several schemes and plans, Congress in the run-up to elections had given five major guarantees —

  • ₹2,000 monthly assistance to women heads of all families (Gruhalakshmi),
  • 200 units of power to all households (Gruhajyoti),
  •  ₹3,000 every month for graduate youth and ₹1,500 for diploma holders (Yuvanidhi),
  •  10 kg rice per person per month(Annabhagya); and
  •  free travel for women in the State public transport buses (Uchita Prayana)[9].

ROLE OF ELECTION MANIFESTOS

In the free and fair elections manifestos are considered as part and parcel of the elcetions only. One has to note that the the documented manifestos weighs more than that of the dramatic speeches made during the election rallies or campaigns[10]. These manifestos mainly serve as an compendium of the standing of political parties declaring on the present issues of the society. If the political parties who declared the manifestos came to power these manifestos only act as an basis for the delivery of commitments made before.

Furthermore, it has been analysed by the experts that by the end of the elections the manifestos will not end, but it continues upto the time of they are in power i.e, 5 years upto that extent these manifestos are kept in mind only. It can be categorized as follows-

  1. Pre-election stage:this is a stage prior to elections, at thse stage the manifestos are analysed mainly on the base of the motive of the political parties involving some klind of ideologies and programmes.
  2. During the election stage: In this stage the manifestos are analysed mainly on basis of communication i.e, how the manifestos has impacted the voters, at what amount it has reached to the voters as well as considering the coverage on the media with respect to that.
  3. Post election stage: After the elections the manifestos became responsibility of political parties and accountable to fulfill the promises made priorly.[11]

The manifestos will help the society only if the manifestos mainly include the welfare and the developmental activities.

Freebies , programmes, policies and subsidies ultimately promote the intrest of the financially and economically help the vulnerable and finacially backward classes of that area. Article 46[12] of the constitution mentions the promotion and protection of the economic and educational intrest of the weaker sections of the society. The intrepretation of the political parties is that Manifesto are to be considered as part of the welfare activities.and also they intreprete that by means of giving freebies they can fullfil the DPSP’s(Directive principes of the State Policy) by minimizing inequalities in income,status, opportunities by providing social and economic justice as mentioned in the Art 38[13] of the Constitution of India.

Article 47[14] mentions improving the standerd of living of the people. Freebies and other welfare programmes boost the voters participation in the elections and it will increase the trust in the government.

ANALYSIS OF ELECTION MANIFESTOS

2023 karnataka election is one of the important election in the country reason behind that is in the previous election no party got absolute majority, but in the 2023 April elections Indian National  Congress(herein after called INC) party came to power with having absolute majority. The political party contesting the elections were ‘BJP’, ‘JDS’(Janata Dala(secular)), and other regional and national parties. Though these parties idealogy is completely diffrent from one another.

INC came up with welfare schemes namely shakti yoyane, gruhalakshmi, gruhajyoti, yuvanidhi, annabhagya

Whether welfare schemes and freebies one and the same :-

There exist an thin line diffrence between the welfare schemes and the freebies in the short term, but the results  these two can be ultimately seen in long term. Usually the welfare schemes have positive effects on the society, while freebies may leads to negetive impact on the society.

  • Freebies generally means providing goods and various services for the citizens without charging them anything.

– usually freebies are dclared for short term for targetted population.

– they are often seen as enticing or tempting the voters by offering something nice.

– example of freebies may be laptop for students, cycles, free transportation, free electricity etc…

  • Welfare schemes are well planned plans for improving the conditions of the targetted population of the area economical social and financial conditions are mainly included.
  • These are said to be the plans made with  motive to fullfil the constitutional obligations ( Directive Principles of the State Policy) upon the government .
  •  They are often said as promoting work, education, or providing better standerd of living.
  • Examples may be Public distribution system (PDS), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Mid-Day meal scheme etc …[15]

ELECTION MANIFESTOS : IN THE INDIAN SCENARIO

Inthe light of practice of mentioning freebie scheme in their manifestos by the political parties to attract the voters in every possible manner, The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in S. Subramanium Balaji vs Government of Tamilnadu and ors[16]  in this case court held that reality cannot be ruled out that any kind of freebie scheme and policies for sure  influences the voters. The promises made during the election rally and manifestos i.e., documentary cannot intrepreted as an corrupt practice under section 123 of the People Representation Act.

To recognize the plight of voters who are helpless post – election, the Apex court simply directed the authourity i.e, Election Commission of India to frame guidelines on the issue of t pre election manifestos by the national political parties, by taking consultation with them. Election Commission of India laid down some guiding principles for the purpose of framig the guidelines was as follows –

  • Distribution of freebies of any kind influences all people and shakes the root of free and fair elections.
  • Under Article 324 of constitution of India Election Commission of India shall issue guidelines under the model of conduct inaccordance with the powers, to hold free and fair elections to meaet democratic needs.
  • Election manifestos are directly related to the elections, usually political parties will declare the manifesto prior to the announcement of elections only. So political parties will say manifesto has nothing to do with the elections, but an exception can be made.

Thus , in consideration with the above guidelines of Supreme Court, Election Commission of India conducted a meeting with all the natiional political parties. And included the ‘Guidelnes on Election Manifesto’ as part VIII of the model code of conduct.[17]

STEPS TAKEN BY THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

Election Commission of India have taken drastic measures to prevent repugnant acticities against fair and free elections. The Commission issued the warining to political parties regarding this.some of the instances as folows[18]

  • On May 14, 2016, the commission issued the notice to All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Khazagam (AIDMK) pointing out that the promises made in it’s manifestos for the tamilnadu state election voilated the guidelines.
  • On January 16, 2017, the Election Commission issued a notice to Aam Admi Party (AAP) concerning thr statement during the goa elections asking voters to accept money being distributed by the political party, but vote for the AAP’s sign/logo.
  • On March 06, 2023, Election Commission issued notice to the Karnataka congress party on “corruption rate cards” against BJP,  advertisements published in newspapers targetting the BJP.
  • On May 08, 2023, Election Commission issued notice to the Karnataka congress party and BJP karnataka for use of abusive language in the poll bound.

While Hon’ble supreme court trying to resolve matters and bring up clear fair and free elections in support with the election commission of India by trying to bring changes in the election manifesto, but without having a strong legal backing these guidelines of commission will become an gun without bullet.

ELECTION MANIFESTOS AROUND THE WORLD : A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS[19]

  1. United States of America-

In USA, nature of political platform is policy based, generally covering economic policy, foreign policy, healthcare, government reforms, environmental issues etc.. these will not offer freebies or scheme to particular group of the society but they outline the policies they are beneficial to huge no of the population. There is an regulation that the Manifestos are to be released before 2 months from the date of election, they are prepared as per parties bye-law and charter. Here electoral management body nothing to do with the manifestos.

  • United Kingdom-

Here the electoral authourity will issue guidelines for the campaigning materials as well as the manifestos. In these countries manifestos mainly contains the budgetry implications, means the financial cost included in the  manifesto. If budgetary explaination included theyare submitted to the court of audit.

  • Mexico-

In Mexico,for getting registration and validation by the  Federal Electoral Institute (herein after called as ‘FEI’), political parties are required to submit the electoral platform i.e, manifesto. Five months before only manifestos to be released. Certification of registration and validation is compulsory for nomination of the candidate.

  • Bhutan-

In Bhutan, prior to first round elections only they are required to submit the manifesto. Manifestos can be issued 3 weeks before the election day.

Bhutan’s manifesto is well regulated by the electoral authourity like in Mexico.

Therefore,by reffering mainly above mentioned countries rule precedent to the election manifestos they are well developed and quite advanced. The loophole in the indian scenario can be  fixed by taking inspiration and borrowing some method from the above mentioned and the other countries.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION:-

In Democratic nations, for conducting free and fair electionselection manifestos are essential part. It is to be examined that to what extent. These manifestos are unlike the speeches made in the rallies of election beacause these are the documentary evidence. These manifestos must be prepared by expert by keeping an eye in the developmental activities of the nation but unfortunately today’s manifestos are mainly concentraing toward integration of votes to succesfully win in election by pursuading the voters through way of offering freebies to the  voters. There exist an very thin line diffrence between developmental pledges and promises aimed at buying votes.

Suggestion is that take inspiration from other countries, manifestos are to be in the form of developmental policies helping huge number of citizens and these are to be submitted, scrutinized, verified by the election commission by that offering freebies can be prevented by that attaining free and fair elections. voters can freely choose their leader of their choice without having any undue influence[20]

The main points to be considered are as follows:-

  1. Providing employment opportunities .
  2. Focusing on improving the quality in educational systems.
  3. Providig healthcare facilities for the senior citizens as well as women and children.
  4. Bring programmes to eradicate malnutrition and poverty to achieve the goal of strong and stable nation.
  5. Bringing policies for the developmental activities of the nation such as infrastructural, road connectivity, railways etc….
  6. Solving the present issues of the farmers and implementing the rural developmental policies, and also making investments in the agricultural sector, the sector which provides food for the nation
  7. The maifestos to be prepared realistically and practically
  8. The manifestos must be in the growth perspective for the nation, such as economical, financial, social, cultural, industrial etc..[21]

[1] Third year L.L.B student, M.E.S Law college, Sirsi-Karnataka

[2] “are freebies affecting economic growth of india” published on the hindu dated 29/04/2022 https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-news-editorials/freebie-politics-in-india

[3] Irfan Ahmad, “Manifestos and Indian elections”, ALJAZEERA, April 15 2014, available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/4/15/manifestos-and-indian-elections (last visited on Aug , 15,2023).

[4] Islam Muhammad, “Election Manifesto as a Unit of Analysis in Research”, Research Gate (2020), available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345499230_Election_Manifesto_as_a_Unit_of_Analysis_in_Research (last visited on Aug 16, 2023).

[5] Krishan Mahajan & Yogesh Singh, “Election Manifesto: Legal Reality or Illusion”, 1 TNNLU Law Review (2018).

[6] Election Manifestos, available at: https://eci.gov.in/election-manifestos/ (last visited Aug, 16, 2023).

[7] https://www.britannica.com/topic/manifesto

[8] Supra note 4

[9]Promises to keep Freebies promised by Congress in Karnataka may be hard to sustain

Updated – May 17, 2023 at 08:31 PM

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/freebies-promised-by-congress-in-karnataka-may-be-hard-to-sustain/article66861943.ece#:~:text=Congress%20in%20the%20run%2Dup,per%20person%20per%20month(Annabhagya)  (last accessed on Aug, 18, 2023)

[10] Atanu Biswas, “How much do election manifestos matter?”, The Telegraph, June 11 2019, available at: https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/how-much-do-election-manifestos-matter/cid/1692165 (last visited on Aug 17, 2023).

[11] Islam Muhammad, “Election Manifesto as a Unit of Analysis in Research”, ResearchGate (2020), available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345499230_Election_Manifesto_as_a_Unit_of_Analysis_in_Research (last visited on August 17, 2023).

[12] Constitution of India, Art 46

[13]  Constitution of India, Art 38

[14] Constitution of India, Art 47

[15]  Freebies : a double edged sword, https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/freebies-a-doubleedgedsword#:~:text=Why%20Freebies%20is%20a%20Double%2DEdged%20Sword%3F&text=Public%20Outreach%20and%20Engagement%3A%20Government,and%20accountability%20to%20the%20people. (last visited on Aug 18, 2023)

[16]  (2013) 9 SCC 659.

[17] Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of Political Parties and Candidates, available at: https://eci.gov.in/mcc/ (last visited on Aug 18, 2023).

[18]   Krishan Mahajan & Yogesh Singh, “Election Manifesto: Legal Reality or Illusion”, 1 TNNLU Law Review (2018).

[19] ibid

[20] Ibid, supra note 17.

[21] Suggestions for political parties’ election Manifesto

 https://www.milligazette.com/news/indian-muslims-press-statements/16630-suggestions-for-political-parties-election-manifesto/ ( last accessed on 20 april 2023)