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Modi’s Balakot remark prima facie violation of model code, EC’s final decision awaited: Indian Express

While delivering a speech in Latur earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to first-time voters to dedicate their votes to the brave men who carried out the Balakot air strike and to the CRPF men who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack. This speech is a violation of the Election Commission’s instructions prohibiting the use of armed forces for political gains, the Osmanabad District Election Officer (DEO) is learnt to have said in his report submitted to the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Indian Express reported.

Citing unnamed sources in the state CEO office, IE reported that the “DEO’s report…along with his comments have been forwarded to the EC and the final call on the matter rests with the Commission”.

If the EC agrees with the Osmanabad DEO’s opinion, then for the first time, Modi will be asked to explain his remarks for violating the Model Code of Conduct. A decision is likely this week, the report said.