Chennai: The Election Commission today (April 14, 2004) asked political parties to raise their level of debate during campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls.

"The level of debate is rather low. It has to go up," Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami told a press conference while responding to questions on personal attacks, especially on Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...
Political Parties in India

He said if such personal attacks reached a stage where they were defamatory and violated the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the authorities concerned would take action if the affected person lodged a complaint.

Gopalaswami said if the personal attacks were physical then there was provision in the IPC to initiate action.

Replying to a question, he said the EC would carry out the Supreme Court's order regarding maintaining decency and morality during campaigning.

Asked about allegations of partiality by police while dealing with the recent clash between volunteers of the PMK and Mega Star Rajnikant Fans Association at Madurai, he agreed that there were complaints of action being taken against one side only.

"Action has to be taken against both sides. Obviously there has been a violation as prohibitory orders were in force there (Madurai)," he said.