Complaint against caste-based appeals through social media

Chennai: With candidates taking to social media in a big way to reach out to voters, caste-based groups are following suit. They are also using the facility to exhort people belonging to their communities to vote for candidates belonging to their castes and to opt for NoTA (None of The Above) in reserved constituencies, it is pointed out.

The social media is being used for consolidating votes for candidates belonging to their castes and to launch an anti-Dalit campaign. This is a clear case of violation of election code of conduct said P. B. Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System (SPCSS-TN).

“In the Assembly polls, we have observed that caste is being used to canvass votes. Some political parties or groups have made people believe that they should vote only for the candidate belonging to their caste.

The Representation of the People Act, 1951 says such practices are also corrupt practices,” he said in a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner.  He urged EC to issue a stern warning to political parties and groups not to make caste-based appeals to voters. Wide publicity should be given urging voters not to be carried away by such appeals. The EC should also make it clear that the victory of a candidate will be declared null and void if it is proved in court that he or she had done caste-based canvassing.

He said the election platform is being used to abuse and alienate Dalits. “There is a WhatsApp campaign asking Caste Hindus to press NOTA button in the reserved constituencies,” Babu said.