Electi­on offici­als say the channe­l devote­d to the PM breach­es campai­gn rulesNEW DELHI: Indian election officials have ordered a clampdown on a television channel devoted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi which they say breaches campaign rules. As the country of 1.3 billion people embarks on its huge vote, the Election Commission said NaMo TV, which is sponsored by Modi’s right-wing party, had to submit all of its content for approval. Under Indian election rules, any content deemed campaign material – including adverts, films and even social media – needs permission from the election body. The Election Commission of India, an autonomous body which oversees the six-week voting marathon that began on Thursday, said NaMo TV had flouted election rules which aim to provide a level playing field for political parties. On Wednesday, the commission said Modi biopic “PM Narendra Modi”, which tells of the Hindu nationalist leader’s ascent from selling tea at a train station to prime minister, could not be released during the election.

Source: The Express Tribune April 12, 2019 08:15 UTC