Why EC Banned the Release of PM Modi Biopic: 7 Points

The release was stalled with the poll panel saying that it was done to ensure ‘level playing field’.

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday, 10 April, banned the release of the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The release of the Vivek Oberoi-starrer movie PM Narendra Modi was stalled with the poll panel saying that it was done to ensure 'level playing field'.

Here is a lowdown of the significant observations made by the EC:

• The EC said that any biopic material in the nature of biography/hagiography sub-serving the purposes of any political entity or any individual entity connected to it, which is intended to, or which has the potential to disturb the level playing field, should not be displayed in electronic media, including cinematograph.
• Commission felt the "emergent need for intervention in the matter of those 'political contents' which are intended for benefiting or discrediting the electoral prospect of any candidate or/and any political party, for ensuring level playing field."

• The poll panel also said that any poster or publicity material concerning any such certified content, which either depicts a candidate (including prospective) for the furtherance of electoral prospect, directly or indirectly shall not be put to display in electronic media in the area, where MCC is in operation.

• EC added that the material should also not be put to display in print media.
• If there exists such a violation or on receipt of such complaints in this regard, a committee will examine the same and suggest necessary action.
• Apart from the Modi biopic, the EC has so far received complaints about movies like NTR Laxmi and Udayama Simham.
• Moreover, the EC said that on 25 March 2019, it had asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take note of the operation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).