New Delhi, April 9: With the campaigning having ended for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019, the Election Commission of India has taken cognisance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on Tuesday asking first-time voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the air strike in Balakot. The EC also sought a report from poll officials in Maharashtra for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

According to the sources in the poll panel quoted by reports, the apex elections conducting body has asked the Maharashtra chief electoral officer to submit a report at the earliest. BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj Booked For Violating Model Code Of Conduct Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

Earlier, while addressing an electoral rally in Ausa in Maharashtra's Latur, Modi had said, "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike?"

Adding more, the Prime Minister had said, "I want to tell the first-time voters: can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Pakistan). Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed (brave martyrs) of Pulwama (terror attack)."

According to the EC advisory issued last month, it was clearly stated that parties should desist from indulging in political propaganda involving actions of the armed forces. The Commission has said on March 19, "...parties/candidates are advised that their campaigners/candidates should desist, as part of their election campaigning, from indulging in any political propaganda involving activities of defence forces."

(With Inputs from Agencies)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 09, 2019 11:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).