Ask enforcement agencies to be neutral: EC tells Finance Ministry

The seven-phase Lok Sabha election starts from April 11 and counting will held on May 23

The Election Commission Sunday "strongly advised" the Finance Ministry that any action by its enforcement agencies during election time should be "neutral" and "non-discriminatory".

The poll panel's advice came amid allegations that the government was using the agencies to target rival parties in the poll season.

In a letter to the Union revenue secretary, the commission said it would like to "strongly advise that all enforcement actions during the election period, even when conducted ruthlessly with a view to curb this blatant electoral malpractice, should be absolutely neutral, impartial and non-discriminatory." The Income Tax department, Enforcement Directorate and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence