HT Digital,
Guwahati, March 21: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to immediately stop sending ‘Viksit Bharat’ messages via WhatsApp.
This action is due to the current model code of conduct (MCC) in effect for the forthcoming general elections planned for April and June. The ECI issued a letter stating that complaints had been received about these messages still being sent to citizens’ phones.
The IT ministry, registered to a WhatsApp number, had been sending messages under the guise of the ‘Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.’
These messages sought ideas and support for building a ‘Viksit Bharat.’ Opposition leaders have labelled this as a clear violation of the MCC. The objective of these WhatsApp messages was to collect suggestions from citizens about government policies and schemes.