Synopsis
In an effort to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi has enforced restrictions on political advertisements in print media for the upcoming Assembly elections on February 5. Advertisements must be certified by the Media Certification & Monitoring Committee to prevent misleading content.Key Takeaways
- Political advertisements must be pre-certified by MCMC.
- Restrictions apply to the day before and on voting day.
- Over 1.55 crore voters eligible for Assembly elections.
- Violations could compromise election integrity.
- Media companies warned against publishing unverified ads.
New Delhi, Jan 20 (NationPress) The Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, has established restrictions on political entities from disseminating offensive, uncertified advertisements in newspapers on the day before and on the voting day for the Assembly elections set for February 5, as stated by an official on Monday.
In a notice directed at recognized political groups, Officer on Special Duty (Media) Kaanchan Azad indicated that parties and candidates must secure certification for their advertisement content from the Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC)—a body that also oversees paid news.
He mentioned that the Election Commission of India has “informed that occurrences of misleading and offensive advertisements published in print media have been reported to the Commission previously. Such advertisements during the final stages of the election compromise the integrity of the election process.”
The election office stated that “no political party, candidate, or any other organization or individual shall publish any advertisement in the print media on the polling day and the day preceding it unless the content of political advertisements is pre-certified by them from the MCMC Committee at the State/District Level.”
Azad clarified that this regulation will pertain to political advertisements intended for publication in print media circulating within the Union Territory of Delhi ahead of the polls on February 5.
The CEO’s office has also issued comparable advisories to Chief Executive Officers of media organizations, cautioning them against printing advertisements that lack pre-certification from the MCMC.
The requirement for pre-certification of political advertisements will be applicable for just two days.
The election office has also recommended that political parties submit their certification requests to the MCMC no later than two days before the intended publication date.
Approximately 1.55 crore voters in Delhi are qualified to elect a new 70-member Assembly on February 5, with results to be announced on February 8.
