New Delhi, Apr 17 (EFE).- Social media platform X revealed having received orders from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to withdraw several posts of parties and candidates in the general elections, set to begin in two days.

“The Election Commission of India has issued takedown orders requiring X to act on posts containing political speech shared from elected politicians, political parties and candidates for office,” X said in a post from its account dedicated to global government affairs late Tuesday.

X shared copies of orders issued by the ECI calling for the immediate elimination of certain publications for alleged violation of the electoral code of conduct, most of them by groups opposed to the Hindu nationalist government of the Bharatiya Janata Party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“In compliance with the orders, we have withheld these posts for the remainder of the election period; however, we disagree with these actions and maintain that freedom of expression should extend to these posts and political speech in general,” X said.

X further called on the ECI to “publish all of its takedown orders going forward.”

The claim comes just days before the start of general elections in India, and ahead of a meeting between the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, and Modi.

The relationship between Musk and Modi develops between complaints and claims over the excessive control over the X, and friendly meetings seeking Tesla’s entry into the Indian market.

Although the date of the next meeting has not been officially announced, it is estimated that it will take place in the next two weeks.

The world’s largest democratic exercise is set to commence in India on Apr. 19, with more than one billion people expected to cast their vote over the next six weeks.

According to surveys and popular opinion, Modi is expected to win a third consecutive term in power. EFE

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