The Commission further informed the Court that it has formulated a set of strict rules which prohibit electioneering along communal lines, or seeking votes on the basis of caste, creed, or religion. However, the violation of the same cannot be dealt with by the ECI outside the election period.
The affidavit added that the poll body can take action against delinquent political parties, contesting candidates and their agents who make appeals on caste lines in their election campaigns only during the election period, after the Model Code of Conduct kicks in, and till the completion of polls, but not after this period ends.
Source: Barandbench
