EC orders police complaint against Modi for holding press conference after voting

Narendra Modi on Wednesday triggered a controversy after he openly sought votes for the BJP at a press conference while holding aloft his party’s lotus symbol immediately after casting his ballot.With the Congress moving the Election Commission, the poll body sought a report from the returning officer and directed the Gujarat administration to file a complaint/FIR against Modi for “violating” the model code of conduct.

Asking the state to furnish a compliance report by 6pm, the commission said Modi had violated provisions of Sections 126(1)(a) and 126 (l) (b) of The Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951.

Though it is a normal practice for top leaders to make brief statements to the media after casting their votes, what irked Modi’s rivals was a full-fledged press conference that the Gujarat chief minister held.