EC convenes All Party Meet to frame guidelines on manifestos

Newdelhi: The Election Commission has convened an all party meeting in New Delhi today to frame guidelines on freebies offered by political parties in their manifestos.

The commission will seek the opinion of various parties before making rules to regulate allurements in election manifestos.

The guidelines are being framed after Supreme Court asked the Election Commission on July 5 to frame guidelines about such promises announced by political parties.

While disposing of a special leave petition challenging the freebies, the apex court had said that there is no enactment that directly governs the contents of the election manifesto.

The Election Commission wishes to formulate a clear policy on defining freebies announced by parties ahead of elections and has invited suggestions from political parties.