A day ahead of polling for the first phase of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared on an interview with ANI’s Smita Prakash, and while it may not have been in direct violation of the model code of conduct issued by the election commission, the broadcast was peppered with praise for UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and his government and policies.
The model code of conduct often pertains to media coverage of the elections. A press note issued by the EC in 2009 on “covering of election campaign” says that “no election matter intended/likely to influence or affect the result of election, related to the constituencies going to polls, should be telecast during the prohibited period of 48 hours referred to in Section 126, which may be seen in the constituencies going to polls”.
