The Delhi Chief Electoral Office said on Monday that it is awaiting a reply from the makers of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scheduled to be released on April 5, after it felt that the film violated the model code of conduct.
East Delhi returning officer K. Mahesh had on March 20 suo motu issued notices to the production house and music company behind the film PM Narendra Modi and two leading newspapers for publishing advertisements of the film.
Delhi chief electoral officer Ranbir Singh said the concerned parties have been given time till March 30 to respond.
He said the broad position is that any political advertisement circulated on electronic media or social media has to be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee.
‘If any pre-certified political or surrogate advertisement is circulated, it is violation of model code of conduct. Whosever has done it is given an opportunity to explain their stand,’ the official said.
The returning officer also suggested that the Election Commission of India (ECI) could form guidelines for political films released during elections.
‘We are looking into it. We will send the recommendations to the poll body,’ Singh said.
The Congress party has appealed to the poll panel to stop the film’s release, saying that it is politically motivated rather than artistic.
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