Election Commission Faces Test as Modi's Campaigning Letter Sparks Controversy

The promise made by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar to pursue violations of the poll law regardless of the prominence of the star candidate has already been tested.

Following the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday, a number of WhatsApp users in India and outside claimed to have received an alleged open letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The sender is a corporate account called "Viksit Bharat Sampark," which is a paid service for sending texts in bulk.

"Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003" is how the sender describes themselves. Additionally, the ministry's website, https://www.meity.gov.in, is highlighted.

Viksit Bharat makes the Center's programs and efforts widely known. The EC had requested in October of last year that the government refrain from holding the planned Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in states that were up for elections.

The model code of conduct (MCC) states in clause VII(4) that: "It shall be scrupulously avoided to issue advertisements at the public exchequer's expense in newspapers and other media, as well as to misuse official mass media during the election period for partisan coverage of political news and publicity regarding achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power."

In the March 15 letter, which is addressed to "My dear family member," Modi highlights the accomplishments and social programs of his administration before asking for "ideas, suggestions, and support" from the recipients.

Marketing advisor Anthony J. Permal, who works in the United Arab Emirates, posted a screenshot of the notification on LinkedIn on Monday, captioned, "Breach of Privacy! Several nationalities in the United Arab Emirates, including myself as a Pakistani, got a "personal" Whatsapp message from Indian Prime Minister Modi yesterday. How were our numbers obtained by the Indian government and the BJP? Furthermore, how is it possible for it to openly spam thousands of non-Indians?

Many non-Indians who posted comments in the thread claimed to have got the message as well; some even mentioned that they had provided their phone numbers when obtaining permits to travel to India.

WhatsApp Business provides 24-hour message threads for marketing, utility, and service categories through discussions between its users and recipients. The classification of "Viksit Bharat Sampark" is "Public and government service." In India, a service talk costs 29.06 paise on average.

It can be used by government entities, with the exception of law enforcement and security facilities. It cannot be used by political parties, organizations that provide services for political campaigns, or "exclusive government entities."

"How can we expect the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 to be enforced in citizen interest when the nodal ministry @GoI_MeitY sends unsolicited spam promoting the Prime Minister on your WhatsApp?" tweeted Apar Gupta, an observer trustee of the Internet Freedom Foundation and a lawyer.

The Telegraph has yet to get responses to the emails sent to election commissioners Rajiv Kumar, Gyanesh Kumar, and Sukhbir Sandhu, as well as S. Krishnan, secretary in the ministry of electronics and information technology.

On a media WhatsApp group, an EC representative declined to comment.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.