Election Commission (EC) on Thursday, ordered the Modi government to immediately stop delivering bulk WhatsApp messages to people under ‘Viksit Bharat Sampark’. The direction was issued to the Secretary, Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology following the complaints the Commission received about the matter.
Election Commision’s Orders IT Ministry
After halting the delivery of bulk WhatsApp messages to people, EC sought an ‘immediate’ compliance report on the matter from the Ministry.
“The move is part of a series of decisions taken by the Commission to ensure a level playing field,” said the EC.
“The Commission has received complaints from various quarters that such messages are still being delivered on citizens’ phones. Since the MCC is now in force, you are hereby directed to ensure forthwith that no further delivery of ‘WhatsApp messages take place during the MCC period. A compliance report in this regard may be sent immediately,” the EC added.
IT Ministry’s Response
Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology had informed the EC that messages attached to PM Narendra Modi’s letter were sent before the Mode Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force (before March 16th), with the date announcement of General Elections.
While making an excuse for message delivery after March 16th, Ministery said, “Due to system architecture and network limitations it is possible that some letters have a delayed delivery.”
Viksit Bharat Sampark Message
The message under Viksit Bharat Sampark reads, “This letter has been sent by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the last 10 years, all 140 crore Indians have benefited from the different schemes and policies of the Government, and will continue to do so in the future as well.”
The message is attached to the letter from the PM Narendra Modi.
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