Local poll authorities in Maharashtra are learnt to have told the EC here that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks asking first-time voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the Balakot air strike, are prima facie violative of its orders, asking parties against using the armed forces in their campaigns.
Addressing a rally in Ausa in Maharashtra's Latur on April 9, PM Modi said, "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike."
"I want to tell the first-time voters: can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Pakistan. Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed (brave martyrs) of Pulwama (terror attack)," PM Modi said.
"We have received the report. It is under examination," Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Kumar said in Delhi.
Asked about the observations made by the district election officer, he said that cannot be disclosed.
The EC had sought the report in the context of an EC advisory issued last month asking parties to desist from indulging in political propaganda involving actions of the armed forces.
"...parties/candidates are advised that their campaigners/candidates should desist, as part of their election campaigning, from indulging in any political propaganda involving activities of defence forces," the commission said on March 19.
Explained: Why Election Commission Changed Haryana Voting Date Haryana Poll Dates Revised From October 1 To 5, Counting Of Votes 3 Days Later J&K Orders Transfer Of 7 Police Officers Following Poll Body Directive Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report INDIA's "Hit With Footwear" Protest In Mumbai Over Shivaji Statue Collapse "It's Mom, I Love You": Mother Of Israeli-American Found Dead In Gaza Nurse Molested By Patient During Late Night Shift At West Bengal Hospital Thousands In Australia Without Power Amid Heavy Rains "My Statement Is True": Sonia Malhar vs Jayasurya Over #MeToo Allegations Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.