Ajit Karn
In response to complaints about “unverified” claims in political advertisements, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has requested that all political parties and candidates obtain “clearance” from the media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC) prior to publishing any advertisement in the print media on the day of voting and the day before.
A letter to political parties dated May 7 stated, “No political party or candidate or other organization or person shall publish any advertisement in the print media on poll day and one day prior to poll day unless the contents of political advertisement are pre-certified by them from the MCMC committee at the State/District level, as the case may be.”
Sunday, ECI held all main local newspapers in the state accountable for all matters, including advertisements that appeared in their publications.
Citing the Press Council of India’s standards for journalistic conduct, the ECI stated in a letter, “A newspaper editor is responsible for all content, including advertisements.” If liability is being disclaimed, this must be declared in advance.”
The commission informed the political parties that instances of offensive and deceptive advertisements published in print media had previously been brought to its attention.
ECI stated that such advertisements during the final stages of an election taint the entire electoral process.
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In its advisory to the parties, the election body also emphasized the importance of a “clean and serious” campaign for Monday’s Karnataka assembly elections.
The 224-member Karnataka assembly will go to the polls on May 10 and tally the votes on May 13.
