The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a set of guidelines for political parties, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The poll body has instructed the parties not to use derogatory language for persons with disabilities.

In an official note, the poll body stated that of late, it has been “made aware of the use of derogatory or offensive language in the political discourse about Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Usage of such semantics in speech/campaign by members of any political parties or their candidates, can be interpreted as an affront to the PwDs.”

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The EC said parties and their representatives should not use disability or terms referring to disability or PwDs in the context of “human incapacity” and should avoid comments that may be offensive or perpetuating stereotypes. It added that any use of such language would attract punishments under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPD) Act, 2016.

Parties were asked to ensure that all campaign materials, including speeches by leaders and social media posts, undergo an internal review process to identify and correct any ableist, offensive or discriminatory language.

“All political parties should ensure and should declare on their website that they will use disability and gender sensitive language and etiquette as well as respect inherent human equality, equity, dignity and autonomy…All political parties shall make their public speeches/campaigns/ activities/ events accessible for all citizens,” the guidelines said.

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In a statement on Thursday, the EC said the foundation of democracy lay in the representation of all communities within the electoral process. It said accessible and inclusive elections were a non-negotiable promise of the EC.

The fresh guidelines reportedly came after activists raised concerns over the use of references to disability by political leaders to attack opponents during election campaigns. A collective of disability rights groups had written to the ECI on October 26 this year asking the EC to “declare SOP on respectful political language with regard to persons with disabilities by politicians/representatives of political parties”.