New Delhi: The Election Commission on Friday vindicated PM Narendra Modi saying that Modi did not violate the Model Code of Conduct with his televised address to the nation regarding the announcement of successful testing of India's anti-satellite weapon.
Based on the report of a committee of officers, EC took the decision that the Prime Minister did not violate any of the provision of ''party in power'' in the poll code.
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"The committee has reached the conclusion that the MCC provision regarding misuse of official mass media as contained in Para (IV) of Part VII of Model Code of Conduct, quoted above, is not attracted in the instant case", stated a statement by the Election Commission.
Modi while addressing the nation announced the successful test-firing of India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile, Mission Shakti also highlighted his government efforts regarding strengthening of national security. An anti-satellite weapon system or ASAT can severely cripple enemy communications and reconnaissance systems during war, and blind the entire military of an enemy force.
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Post the speech by Modi, the opposition alleged that the Prime Minister's speech violated the Model Code of Conduct. The opposition were of the view that such announcements may influence voters in the middle of the campaign. Meanwhile Mamata Banerjee labelled it as "another limitless drama" and Rahul Gandhi wished PM Modi "a very happy World Theatre Day".
After numerous complaints by several parties, a panel was formed to examine it. The election supervisory body had informed that it was studying the announcement, on Friday. The Election Commission however, was satisfied that PM address was not live from Doordarshan and AIR. While DD had taken the feed of the speech from news agency ANI, AIR had taken the audio feed from DD.
What is Model Code of Conduct?
The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, election manifestos and general conduct. The commission's model code of conduct states that the party in power cannot use public money for the publicising of its achievements, ahead of elections. "Issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in the newspapers and other media and the misuse of official mass media during the election period for partisan coverage of political news and publicity regarding achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power shall be scrupulously avoided", the Model Code of Conduct states.