Necessary directives were given to owners of printing presses in a meeting at CEO’s office here on Tuesday, regarding printing of materials during lok Sabha elections. Chairing the meeting, Chief Electoral Officer Jaideep Govind directed the printers to exercise caution in this regard.
He informed that action is taken regarding printing of electioneering material under Section 127-A of the Representation of People Act, 1951. He also informed about Copyright Act.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that names and addresses of printers and publishers must be clearly printed on the printline of electioneering material. Within 3 days after publication, 4 copies of the printed material along with copy of publisher’s declaration must be submitted to election officer.
He said that printer should seek from publisher names, addresses and 2 copies of ID proof. Number of printed copies must also be written. Joint Chief Electoral Officer SS Bansal informed about Election Commission’s directives.
He said that the commission has banned plastic electioneering material. He said that violation by any printing press owners of section 127 of Representation of People Act 1951 may entail 6 months’ imprisonment and fine upto Rs2,000.
The meeting was informed that works pertaining to printing of electioneering material in the CEO’s Office is being looked after by Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Ichhit Garhpale. Further information in this regard can be obtained by contacting him on mobile number 9826071047 and his assistant Javed Jamil on mobile number 9424446505. Printing press owners were also informed about enforcement of model code of conduct by Election Commission of India.