New Delhi: Flooded with complaints, the Election Commission has expressed anguish over “derogatory” and “inflammatory” statements made by “important” leaders of political parties and asked them to exercise restraint and observe the model code in letter and spirit.

In a communication to all recognised political parties late last evening, the Commission also deplored the “open” distribution of money during poll campaign.

Observing that the campaigning for the five-phased elections would soon reach a crescendo, the panel said it was pained to observe that many important leaders of political parties at the national and state levels were, in their election speeches at public meetings and rallies, were making “intemperate and derogatory remarks.”

They were “attacking the personal character or personal conduct of leaders and candidates of rival parties, or making highly provocative and inflammatory statements that have the effect of inciting communal hatred, disharmony or ill-will, and aggravating the differences between different classes of citizens on grounds of religion, caste and community”.

The Commission has received complaints of hate speeches, distribution of money among electorate and other violations of model code against candidates and leaders of BJP, Congress, RJD, SP and some others.