The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to "immediately halt" sending 'Viksit Bharat' messages on WhatsApp as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is currently in force following the announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The poll body has also demanded a compliance report on the matter from the Ministry.
The Commission said it had received several complaints that messages sent under the "Viksit Bharat Sampark" to highlight the Central government’s initiatives were still being delivered on citizens’ phones despite the election announcement and the MCC entering into force.
In response, the MeitY informed the poll body that although the messages were sent before the MCC came into force, some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay due to systemic and network limitations.
The move is part of a series of decisions taken by the ECI to ensure a level-playing field in the upcoming national elections, the Commission said.
The MCC came into force after the poll body announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections. According to the ECI announcement on March 16, the elections will be held from April 19 to June 1 in seven phases, and the results will be declared on June 4.
