PM Modi’s Appeal to First-Time Voters Under EC Scanner

The Election Commission on Thursday, 18 April, said it has sought a report on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Maharashtra’s Latur district, where he cited the Balakot air-strikes in an appeal to first-time voters.The Prime Minister’s remarks on the Sabarimala shrine and another report on Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's 'chowkidar chor hai' jibe against the PM are also under the EC’s scanner.While reports of Gandhi's remarks at two media interactions are being examined by the poll panel, concerned district poll authorities have sought another report on Modi's remarks on the Sabarimala shrine in a rally in Theni in Tamil Nadu.During the rally, Modi had alleged that the Left and the Muslim League were playing a dangerous game on Sabarimala, and are initiating "to strike at the root of faith and aspiration".While the BJP had moved the EC on Gandhi's remarks, the CPI (M) had written to the poll watchdog on the prime minister's statement.What Was the PM’s Appeal to First-Time Voters?Responding to a question on the decision on Modi's remarks on the Balakot airstrike and Pulwama terror attack, Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Kumar at a news briefing told news agency PTI that the Latur administration in Maharashtra had only sent one paragraph of the speech.Now the entire transcript has been received by the EC and its is being examined, Kumar said.In a rally in Ausa in Mahrashtra's Latur district recently, Modi had said, "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike."“I want to tell the first-time voters: can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Pakistan). Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed (brave martyrs) of Pulwama (terror attack)?”The report was sought in the context of an EC advisory issued last month asking parties to desist from indulging in political propaganda involving actions of the armed forces."...parties/candidates are advised that their campaigners/candidates should desist, as part of their election campaigning, from indulging in any political propaganda involving activities of defence forces," the commission had said on 19 March.EC to Submit its Report on Modi Biopic to SC on FridayMeanwhile, the Election Commission will on 19 April, Friday, submit its decision to the Supreme Court on whether the ban on the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi should continue, a senior poll body official said.The EC, on the apex court's directions, had watched the film on Wednesday, 17 April.Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said the EC will on Friday submit to the Supreme Court its view on banning the film's pan-India release in a sealed cover.Earlier on Thursday, 18 April, the film's producers had visited the Nirvachan Sadan, the EC's headquarters here, to present their view.The Supreme Court had on Monday, 15 April, directed the EC to watch the full biopic on Modi and take an informed decision on banning its release.(With inputs from PTI.)

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PM Modi’s Appeal to First-Time Voters Under EC Scanner

The EC has also sought a report on Modi’s remarks on the Sabarimala shrine in a rally in Theni in Tamil Nadu.

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Topics: Lok Sabha elections 2019 elections 2019