EC Asks FB to Remove Posters by BJP Leader With Abhinandan’s Photo

This is seen as the first instance of EC acting against a violation of the Model Code of Conduct on social media.

BJP hoarding with IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman in the picture.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@AnjaliMody1)

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday, 12 March asked Facebook to remove two political posters with Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s photograph, shared by BJP leader and Delhi MLA Om Prakash Sharma, The Indian Express reported.

Seen as the first instance of the EC taking action against a violation of the Model Code of Conduct on social media, the content has reportedly been flagged to Shivnath Thukral, Director, Public Policy for India and South Asia, at Facebook.

The complaint was received by EC on its cVIGIL app, on which citizens can flag such incidents with proof to the EC.

Sharma, in his defence said that the posters were made before poll dates were announced.

“EC sent me a notice last night. The post was made before LS poll dates were announced. Can't understand how EC is operating,” Sharma told ANI.

Desist from Displaying Photographs of Jawans: EC Tells Parties

The Election Commission Saturday, 9 March asked political parties to "desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel" against the backdrop of a picture showing a hoarding with images of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as well as leaders of a party.

In a fresh instruction issued to all political parties, the EC referred to its December 2013 letter in which it had "called upon all political parties to advise their candidates and leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs functions involving defence personnel in advertisements".

The instructions came after the photograph of a hoarding displaying pictures of the IAF pilot as well as senior BJP leaders was circulated on social media and came to the EC’s notice.

However, it was not known where the hoarding had been put up.

In 2013, the defence ministry had informed the EC about photographs of defence personnel being used by leaders and candidates and had urged the poll panel to issue suitable instructions in this regard.

An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Varthaman, had shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft on 27 February. However, his plane was shot down and he was arrested in Pakistan.

The pilot returned home after nearly three-day captivity in Pakistan on 1 March.

(With inputs from The Indian Express, ANI and PTI)