Election manifesto helps to understand the priorities of a political party and it enables the voter to make informed choices. In this context the election manifesto needs to be regulated. Comment.
Election manifesto are promises that a party proposes to fulfil, if it comes to power. During election phase, election manifesto of parties offer a lot of debate, on kinds of promises.
But given the unrealistic claims of political parties, there has been a need felt for regulating election manifesto. Recently, a PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court, which seeks to regulate election manifesto and make them legally enforceable.
Issues with the content of manifesto:
- Electoral populism and claim for freebies. E.g. Free laptops, free scooters, free electricity, etc.
- Fiscally unviable/unreasonable claims. E.g. Promise of buying all produce at MSP, which is almost impossible as that would cost around 50% of the union budget.
- Delay in release of manifesto, waiting for other parties to release them first and then make more lucrative claims.
Need for Regulation:
- Promote accountability and transparency.
- Promote free and fair elections.
- Improves public faith in the process of elections.
- Parties will become more conscious of making unrealistic promises, which they can’t fulfil.
As a result, Election manifesto will become more effective tool of elections, than just political rhetoric and grand promises before elections.
Originally written on
July 15, 2023
and last modified on
October 27, 2024.