Election Commission Halts Viksit Bharat WhatsApp Messaging Amidst Electoral Concerns

In light of mounting concerns over electoral integrity, the Election Commission (EC) has taken swift action, instructing the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to cease the dissemination of Viksit Bharat messaging through WhatsApp. The EC has demanded an immediate compliance report from MeitY regarding this directive.

According to the EC, numerous complaints have been lodged regarding the continued delivery of Viksit Bharat messages to citizens' mobile phones, despite the recent announcement of the General Elections 2024 and the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). In response to these complaints, MeitY has acknowledged that while the messages were dispatched before the MCC came into effect, some may have been delivered belatedly due to systemic and network constraints.

This move comes amidst heightened scrutiny of digital platforms and their role in shaping public discourse during electoral periods. The EC's decision reflects its commitment to upholding the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, ensuring that all parties adhere to the established rules and regulations.