Biopic ‘PM Narendra Modi’ Should Not be Released Till May 19, Says EC

The Election Commission of India on Thursday held the view that biopic 'PM Narendra Modi' should not be released before May 19.

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday was of the view that ‘PM Narendra Modi‘ biopic should not be released till May 19 and maintained that this decision has been taken in the interest of holding free and fair Lok Sabha elections.

EC: Election Commission is of the view that the movie ‘PM Narendra Modi’ should not be released till May 19. Poll Body officials say delaying the release will be in the interest of free and fair Lok Sabha elections. pic.twitter.com/x2566ZFxDE

— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2019

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The poll body had submitted its report in a sealed cover on the biopic “PM Narendra Modi” starring Vivek Oberoi to the Supreme Court on Monday and reiterated that its decision to ban the release of the biographical film on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the polls on April 24.

According to a source familiar with the poll body’s report to the Apex Court, it said the officials, who watched the film, opined that there is a high probability that a particular political party will gain electoral mileage if the film is permitted to be released during the ongoing polls.

Consequently, the poll body is justified in its decision to release the film after the last phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections on May 19, according to the report.

The Supreme Court will decide on EC’s report on Friday. The poll panel submitted the report in the court through its counsel Rakesh Dwivedi.

The Supreme Court bench has also directed the EC counsel to share the report with the film’s producer, who had moved the apex court challenging the Commission’s decision to ban its release despite getting the nod of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC).

With IANS inputs