Dealing with poll code violations: EC has the teeth, why doesn't it bite?

The Constitution gives the Election Commission wide powers to deal with poll code violations

The Election Commission’s recent flip-flop in the Supreme Court over the powers it has — and does not have — pertaining to violations of the Model Code of Conduct has taken legal experts by surprise. 

In its submissions before the top court on April 14, the poll panel had said that it does not have powers beyond reprimanding politicians in cases of hate speech and code of conduct violations. That had prompted the chief justice of India to note that the apex court would examine the EC’s powers in this regard. However, within 24 hours, the poll panel banned four heavyweight