NI Bureau
New Delhi : In a firm move to ensure adherence to the model code of conduct, the Election Commission has instructed the Central government to immediately stop sending Viksit Bharat messages via WhatsApp. Additionally, the poll panel has mandated the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to promptly furnish a compliance report.
This action by the Election Commission on Thursday follows multiple complaints it received regarding violations of the model code by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through the dissemination of these messages. In response, the ministry informed the panel that the messages, containing a letter from the Prime Minister, were dispatched on March 15—before the enforcement of the model code of conduct (MCC). Some of these messages may have experienced delays due to “system architecture and network limitations.”
The Election Commission announced the dates for the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled in seven phases between April 19 and June 1, on March 16, immediately triggering the implementation of the model code of conduct.
The ministry’s messages, which emphasized various government policies and schemes, also solicited feedback and suggestions from recipients. The sender’s handle, identified with a green tick, describes itself as “Viksit Bharat Sampark,” an ongoing initiative of the Government of India aimed at evaluating flagship schemes and enhancing their implementation and delivery. It includes MeitY’s address and provides a link to its website.
The Election Commission’s recent action coincides with its directive to the chief electoral officer of Karnataka to take action against Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, following a complaint from the DMK, regarding her alleged derogatory remarks against people from Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, the panel instructed the cabinet secretary, chief secretaries of all states, and chief electoral officers to remove all unauthorized political advertisements.
These actions are viewed within the context of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar’s statement during the announcement of election dates, affirming the poll panel’s commitment to combatting four ‘Ms’: muscle, money, misinformation, and MCC violations, all of which can impede free and fair elections.
