The photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been replaced on all major government websites with placeholders.
Previously, Modi’s image was visible on every government website including the prime minister’s personal site, PM Kisan, and RTI portal where the login screen was replaced with the prime minister’s photograph.
Over the years, the publicity of Modi has been at the centre of all government programmes including various government schemes prefixed with the tag “PM”. The image management of the prime minister has been an important part of his electioneering with usage of state resources for the same. Now, with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in place, all major websites have replaced his photographs with placeholders.
A screenshot of the RTI Portal without Narendra Modi’s photograph. Photo: https://rtionline.gov.in/
The digital recordings of episodes of “Maan ki baat” radio show that was diligently promoted by the Government of India and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters across India have completely disappeared from all government websites including pm on radio and MyGov website.
A screenshot of the “Maan ki baat” page doesn’t load anymore on mygov website. Photo: https://www.mygov.in/campaigns/mann-ki-baat/
The removal of all photographers from official websites is a positive development since it was primarily used to promote personalities of people in office. The MCC has clear instructions to remove all photographs of national leaders from government offices and premises.
In the section related to display of the photographs, calendars etc. of national leaders and prominent personalities in the government offices/premises, etc. regarding the do’s and don’ts related to enforcement of MCC, the Election Commission of India (ECI) mentioned, “The photographs and images of the political functionaries, who [have a] deep influence on the minds of electors and many of whom are still active in public life and may even be contesting the current general elections, should not be displayed in the government buildings and premises as that would have the effect of disturbing the level playing field vis-a-vis the political functionaries of other parties and candidates.”
The ECI added: “While the photographs of Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Ministers and other political functionaries should not be displayed, this instruction, however, is not applicable with regard to the images of national leaders, poets, and prominent historical personalities of the past, and the President of India and the Governors. In case of any doubt in this regard regarding removal of any photograph or images, the issue may be referred to the Chief Electoral Officer of the State/ Union Territory concerned before taking action in the matter ”
Several other state government websites have now removed photographs of the chief ministers from their state websites. This move to curtail influence on voters online provides a level playing field for opposition parties. With the enforcement of MCC in cyberspace, ECI is taking a stance against the usage of undue influence on voters.
A screenshot of Telangana chief minister’s Website with placeholder Images. Photo: https://cm.telangana.gov.in/
This is in a series of actions taken by the ECI including ending the Whatsapp messaging campaign with a letter from Modi sent by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The poll body is recognising the importance of digital influence on voters.
While the government websites are replacing photos of political functionaries, the social media platforms have been ignored. For example, the “Maan ki baat” episodes continue to be available on both the prime minister’s youtube channel as well as his personal youtube page.
The ECI, trying to provide a level playing field to all political parties in cyberspace, has ignored large rules for social media influencers and platforms. One needs to wait and watch how platforms will be subjected to these MCC guidelines through this election cycle.
Srinivas Kodali is a researcher on digitisation and a hacktivist.
India is rapidly digitising. There are good things and bad, speed-bumps on the way and caveats to be mindful of. The weekly column Terminal focuses on all that is connected and is not – on digital issues, policy, ideas and themes dominating the conversation in India and the world.
