Elections

Election commission stops release of Modi biopic, says film disturbs ‘level playing field’ ahead of elections

Supreme Court of India had earlier refused to stop its release calling it a “non-issue”

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stopped the release of Vivek Oberoi starer biopic ‘PM Narendra Modi’ for the duration of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

In its statement, the election body said that any material disturbing the level playing field in favour of any political party or individual should not be displayed.

Opposition parties have been calling for a ban on the movie in view of Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The ECI said that it has also received complaints about ‘NTR Laxmi’ and ‘Udyama Simham’.

The ECI in is statement said that any poster or publicity material concerning any such certified content, which either depicts a candidate (including prospective) for the furtherance (or purported to further) of electoral prospect, directly or indirectly, shall not be put to display in electronic media in the area where MCC is in operation.

Any poster or publicity material concerning any such certified content, which either depicts a candidate (including prospective) for the furtherance (or purported to further) of electoral prospect, directly or indirectly In any cinematograph material, certified by the appropriate authority, if there exists such a violation or on receipt of complaints in this regard, a Committee, duly constituted by the Commission, shall examine the same and suggest appropriate action.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition filed by a Congress activist seeking stay on the release of biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the Election Commission would be an “appropriate” place to seek the redressal.

The apex court said it was not entertaining the petition for the stay on the release of the film which would be “premature” in view of the fact that the movie is yet to be certified by the Censor Board.

 

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