EC’s decision was not unanimous in giving clean chit to PM Modi

by

NEW DELHI: Election Commission gives two clean chit to PM Modi, saying no poll code violation for his speech about Pulwama terror attack and the Balakot air strike, at Latur.

The first all-clear on ‘majority is in minority’ came on Tuesday 30 April and the second all-clear on first-time voters’ on Wednesday has been communicated to the Congress in two letters who complaints to EC citing.

However, The Indian Express has learned that it was not unanimous in either case.

According to reports, one Election Commissioner dissented in both the cases, had found that PM Modi had violated the poll body’s directive and go against the opinion of the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and the Osmanabad District Electoral Officer (DEO) but his opinion was over-ruled and the decision was taken according to the opinion of the majority of 2-1.

The “Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners differ in opinion on any matter, such matter shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority”.

The Election Commission comprises Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra.

A source told News18 that the poll body also skipped this detail communication to the Congress spokesperson, and only mentioned that the complaints have been disposed.

According to a report in the Indian Express, a third Congress complaint against Modi into alleged violation of the poll code on his speech in Barmer in Rajasthan was resolved by poll panel unanimously on Thursday.

Twitterati also began questioning the Commission’s clean chits to Modi.