 "Why ECI has directed IT Ministry to immediately halt 'Viksit Bharat' messages on WhatsApp")
The Election Commission of India (ECI) Thursday directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to halt the Centre’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ messages over WhatsApp.
The poll body has also sought a compliance report on the matter immediately from the ministry.
“Since the MCC (model code of conduct) now in force, you are hereby directed to ensure forthwith that no further delivery of ‘WhatsApp messages’ take place during MCC period. A compliance report in this regard may be sent immediately,” a letter addressed to the Government of India by the Secretariat of the Election Commission of India read.
Why ECI has halted ‘Viksit Bharat’ WhatsApp messages?
In the letter, the ECI said it has “received complaints from various quarters that such messages are still being delivered on citizens’ phones” despite the announcement of Lok Sabha elections 2024 dates and the MCC coming into force.
In response, MeitY had informed the Election Commission that the letters were sent out before MCC came into force, but some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay due to “system architecture and network limitations.”
The dates of Lok Sabha elections 2024 were announced by the ECI on March 16. The MCC came into effect soon after the announcement of the poll dates.
What ‘Viksit Bharat’ WhatsApp message stated?
The letter which addresses users as ‘my dear family members’ had sparked political controversy. Congress has called the PDF file attached with the message a ‘political propaganda’.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsOver the past days, several people received WhatsApp messages from ‘Viksit Bharat Sampark’ that contained a PDF that has a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The letter sought feedback and suggestions from citizens over government initiatives and schemes including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Matru Vandana Yojana.
The Opposition called PM Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat Sampark letter’ a “blatant violation” of MCC and even called it a “political propaganda.”
The letter by the ECI came a day after the chief electoral officer of Chandigarh referred to the commission a digital complaint (on mobile app C-Vigil) alleging that a Central government department “violated” MCC by sending out bulk WhatsApp messages labelled “Viksit Bharat Sampark” after the Lok Sabha elections were announced.
“One particular complaint (on mobile app C-Vigil) regarding the reception of bulk WhatsApp messages…Upon thorough examination in accordance with guidelines and the voluntary code of ethics on use of social media, the district media certification and monitoring committee found prima facie evidence of a violation,” a statement issued by the office of chief electoral officer Vijay Namdeorao Zade read.
“It appears a govt department used social media, specifically WhatsApp, to showcase governmental achievements post declaration of elections.”
With inputs from agencies
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