Code of conduct should be there for election speeches too

The moment the election announcement is made, the code of conduct related to it will also come into force. Any issue that can influence candidates positively or negatively will also come under its ambit. It is a rule that, whether at the centre or in the states, the ruling governments should not announce any new development projects and should not implement any kind of benefit schemes, etc. after the announcement of the elections because it may influence the voters. It is also illegal to use religious or divine symbols or images during campaigns to influence voters. The Election Commission has received some such complaints from Kerala itself in the past few days.

At the same time, something that is technically outside the scope of the election code of conduct is the derogatory idea of body-shaming in campaign speeches and statements that ridicule and defame leaders.

One leader said that a candidate wakes up in the morning and walks around after putting on powder while the leader of the other party retaliated that looking at that leader's face is like looking at a fried cashew nut. What should be discussed in the elections are the agendas of the competing political parties, local issues that directly affect and influence life and the reaction and position of each party in the developments taking place around the world. Those who describe the shape of candidates' noses and ears instead have only one purpose: to distract people from the real problems they face!

After the announcement of the election, each political party should announce a code of conduct for their leaders who are campaigning. What can and cannot be done in speech and campaign should be determined in advance. There is nothing wrong in making strong political criticisms or allegations with evidence against the opposing candidate. Those who are subject to it are bound to answer such accusations and indictments. However, mocking and expressions like the ones mentioned earlier should definitely be avoided. Any reference to candidates or leaders that crosses the line of decency or can be interpreted as indecent must be avoided.

Most of these orators lose control of their tongues and forget propriety and dignity when they get excited during their speeches. Everyone who works in the field of elections should first of all have their own code of conduct to stop the words that are thrown around like this. As mentioned earlier, each political party should establish a separate code of conduct for its leaders and candidates. It is not the sound of loose talks happening at public washrooms or the community wells that should be heard from election campaign platforms. The people should also decide not to vote for the party of the leader who violates personal decency.