The Election Commission of India issued a directive on Thursday instructing the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to immediately halt the transmission of “Viksit Bharat” messages via WhatsApp. Additionally, it has requested a compliance report on this matter from the IT ministry. The commission took this action following numerous complaints regarding the delivery of messages showcasing government initiatives to citizens’ phones, despite the announcement of the general elections and the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
In response to these complaints, MeitY informed the commission that while the messages were dispatched before the MCC came into effect, some may have been delivered with delays due to systemic and network constraints. This decision forms part of a series of measures undertaken by the Commission to ensure a fair electoral environment.
The WhatsApp messages from ‘Viksit Bharat Sampark’ have been circulating, soliciting feedback and suggestions from citizens, accompanied by a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the letter, issued on the eve of the general election announcement, the PM appealed for ideas, suggestions, and support in realizing the vision of building a developed India. Addressed to “my dear family members” in alignment with the BJP’s “Modi Ka Parivaar” (Modi’s family) narrative, the letter expresses gratitude for the trust and support of 140 crore Indians. PM Modi attributes the transformation in people’s lives to government schemes and programs, citing it as the administration’s most significant achievement over the past decade.
Opposition leaders have criticized the Election Commission for failing to take action against what they perceive as a blatant violation of the model code of conduct.
