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- The Election Commission (EC) has stood by its decision to defer the release of the PM Narendra Modi biopic until the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19. The EC has observed that the content and dramatization of character in the movie was such that screening of the movie before polls would “tilt the electoral balance of the particular political party”.
- The Supreme Court had directed the EC to re-examine its earlier order and take an informed decision on stay on the release of the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after watching the entire movie.
- This came after the producers of the film challenged the EC’s decision to stop the release despite getting clearance from the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC). They had alleged that the stay violated their fundamental right to free speech and expression as guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (a) of the Indian constitution.
- The EC had deferred the release of the biopic till the elections are over arguing that displaying material that promotes a political figure would go against the core principle of the Model Code of Conduct of creating a level-playing field for elections.
