Religious sites remain a favorite haunt for candidates

Candidates who consider religious congregations as the ideal location for extensive canvassing seem to be dismissing the Election Commission’s (EC) advice to refrain from using them for electioneering.

Images and videos of candidates visiting different places of worship with their hands folded are all over social media every day. Election authorities, however, have issued a warning, stating that when allegations of unethical electioneering tactics are brought to their attention, the candidates’ actions and statements made at houses of worship will be taken into consideration.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Kerala Sanjay Kaul informed TNIE that candidates’ visits to houses of worship could not be interpreted as a rule breach in and of itself.

But, the official said, “It’s a fit case for prosecution if the candidate invokes religion and seeks a vote while visiting the place of worship.” In addition, the EC had advised political parties and candidates not to run for office on the basis of caste, religion, or language, not to disparage the bond between a devotee and their god or imply any kind of “divine censure.”