PM’s speech didn’t violate the code of conduct: EC

PM’s speech didn’t violate the code of conduct: EC

1. The Election Commission (EC) has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to nation on the success of Mission Shakti, anti-satellite missile testing, did not violate the provision of ”party in power” in Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
2. The EC has taken the decision based on the report of a committee of officers. The EC had set up a committee to examine whether Prime Minister’s address to the nation was in violation to provisions of MCC after opposition parties had alleged so and demanded actions against it.
3. PM’s address was telecast on numerous news channels, social media and radio. The committee had sought response from state broadcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) about the source of feed. Doordarshan had informed the EC that PM’s message was telecast from the feed provided by ANI.
4. The committee had come to the conclusion that the MCC provision regarding misuse of official mass media (Para (IV) of Part VII) is not attracted to the case. Issue of advertisement at the cost of public money in the newspapers and other media and the misuse of official mass media during the election period for partisan coverage of political news and publicity regarding achievements amounts to violation of MCC.
5. Model code of Conduct (MCC) are the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections. The MCC comes into force immediately on the announcement of the election schedule by the commission. The Code remains in force till the end of the electoral process.