Lok Sabha Election 2024: Muscle, money, misinformation, MCC violations - EC highlights 4Ms as challenges

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar outlined four main challenges facing the Election Commission: Money, Muscle, violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), and Misinformation. Despite these obstacles, the ECI is committed to maintaining the integrity of the electoral system through proactive measures and vigilant oversight for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday (March 16) shed light on the multifaceted challenges confronting the Election Commission as it gears up for the upcoming electoral process. Kumar delineated these challenges into four primary domains: Money, Muscle, violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), and Misinformation.

He succinctly outlined the four-fold challenges encapsulated by the 4Ms: muscle, money, misinformation, and MCC violations. These factors pose formidable obstacles to the democratic process, potentially undermining the integrity of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024, highlighted the ECI. 

However, the ECI affirmed its resolve in its commitment to uphold the sanctity of the electoral system. To confront these disruptive challenges, the ECI has implemented comprehensive measures aimed at safeguarding the electoral process and ensuring that the voice of the electorate is accurately represented.  Through proactive initiatives and vigilant oversight, the ECI endeavours to foster an environment conducive to transparent, inclusive, and credible elections.

ECI affirmed that they will take strict action against people who spread misinformation during the elections. EC urged everyone to verify before sending any kind of information related to the elections. Ensuring voters' trust is paramount EC said violence in elections is unacceptable. Impersonators are to be swiftly punished. Transparency in permissions to parties/candidates through the SUVIDHA portal.

Rajiv Kumar also said that the EC is impartial, and will take ruthless actions against crackdowns on illicit money, liquor, drugs, and freebies, staying vigilant against disruptive methods.

Tackling misinformation in today's digital age is complex. We have put certain measures in place to ensure misinformation is nipped in the bud. We're proactive in debunking fake news. Originators of fake news to be dealt with severely as per extant laws: CEC Kumar pic.twitter.com/LiTy2Pne3X

चुनावी प्रक्रिया में बाहुबल के अलोकतांत्रिक प्रभाव को रोकने के लिए कई उपाय किये हैं. Strict directions given to DMs & SPs to ensure level playing field. CAPF to be deployed adequately & assisted by Integrated control rooms in each district. Check posts & drones to ensure vigil. pic.twitter.com/Ns24MQptrV

Ensuring voters' trust is paramount. Violence in elections is unacceptable. Impersonators to be swiftly punished. Transparency in permissions to parties/candidates through SUVIDHA portal.

In the 2022-23 election cycle, cash seizure surged over 800% to Rs 3,400 crore in 11 states compared to five years ago. Enforcement agencies are directed to crackdown on illicit money, liquor, drugs, and freebies, staying vigilant against disruptive methods.