EC examining Modi video message released when polling was underway in Varanasi

The EC on Monday said it was examining complaints that Narendra Modi violated electoral laws by delivering a video message to voters when polling was underway in 41 constituencies, including Varanasi.

The Election Commission on Monday said it was examining complaints that BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi violated electoral laws by delivering a video message to voters when polling was underway in 41 constituencies, including Varanasi.

"Yes, there was a complaint... The matter is under examination," deputy EC Vinod Zutshi told reporters in New Delhi.

"His (Modi's) address to voters in Varanasi seeking votes for himself is a clear violation of the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the Model Code of Conduct," Congress said in a complaint to the poll body and demanded "immediate action" against Modi and BJP.

Modi, contesting from Varanasi, spoke about the 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb' of the holy city and appealed to its voters to reflect the spirit of unity and harmony through their votes.

Responding to complaints that names of nearly 6000 voters in minority-dominated areas of Varanasi were missing, Zutshi said the EC has received interim report in this regard which stated that some people with voter cards did not find their names in the electoral rolls though they had voted in the last elections.

He said investigations were on as to how many names were missing. He said EC will take "corrective action" if names were deleted wrongfully.

He also said EC pursues all complaints and FIRs regarding poll code and electoral law violations till they reach their "logical conclusion".