Why is it in the news?

• Various parties and their leaders have faced accusations of violating Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act.

About Section 123(3) of the RPA 1951

• Candidates or their associates are prohibited from making appeals to voters to vote or refrain from voting based on their religion, race, caste, community, or language.
• It condemns any efforts by candidates to promote feelings of enmity or hatred among citizens on the basis of religion, race, caste, community, or language during elections.
• Aims to ensure that electoral processes are conducted in a free and fair manner, devoid of appeals to communal or sectarian sentiments of the voters.
• Highlights the principle that electoral appeals should be based on policies, performance, and public welfare rather than narrow communal or sectarian lines.
• Recognizes the importance of preventing corrupt electoral practices that exploit identity-based divisions to influence voter behaviour.
• Upholds democratic values of equality, inclusivity, and non-discrimination by discouraging appeals that seek to divide voters along identity lines.