He had appealed to first-time electors to dedicate their vote to Pulwama martyrs

The Election Commission on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at Latur in Maharashtra on April 9, in which he had appealed to the first-time electors to dedicate their vote to Pulwama martyrs and to the soldiers who carried out the Balakot air strike, did not violate the Model Code of Conduct.

The Commission had earlier received multiple complaints seeking action against Mr. Modi for allegedly violating the Code and its advisory to the political parties, their candidates and cadres to desist from indulging in any propaganda involving activities of the Defence forces.

Taking cognisance, the EC sought a detailed report from the Maharashtra CEO. A certified transcript of the speech was submitted to the Commission on April 16.

“The matter has been examined in detail in accordance with the extant advisories, provisions of the Model Code of Conduct…after examination of the complete transcript of speech of 11 pages, as per the certified copy sent by the Returning Officer, 40-Osmanabad parliamentary constituency, the Commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation of the extant advisories/provisions is attracted,” said the EC.

On Tuesday, the Commission had ruled that Mr. Modi’s speech at Wardha on April 1 did not violate the MCC and the Representation of the People Act provisions, as alleged by the Congress. The decision was taken at a meeting attended by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and two Election Commissioners.