like Vidhan Sabha and lok Sabha elections, provisions of paid news will also be implemented in urban body elections in the State. limit of election expenses has been prescribed for only mayors, chairpersons of Nagar Palikas and Nagar Parishads. Therefore, these provisions will be applicable to them only. State Election Commissioner R Parasuram has directed district collectors to act in accordance with provisions for paid news.
Parasuram said that purpose of implementation of provisions of paid news is to bring about transparency in publicity during elections, curb decisive role of money and muscle power and provide equal opportunity to all candidates for free and fair elections.
Media certification and monitoring committees (MCMC) will be set up at district and state level. District level MCMC will be headed by collector or additional collector nominated by him or CEO of district Panchayat. Its members will include assistant returning officer of district headquarters’ urban body, a distinguished and impartial citizen nominated by collector and a impartial journalist. District Public Relations Officer will be Member-Secretary of the committee.
Secretary State Election Commission will head the state level MCMC. Its members will include one observer appointed by State Election Commission for general elections, an impartial distinguished citizen nominated by the commission, an impartial senior journalist nominated by the commission and one co-opted expert. Additional/Joint Director Public Relations nominated by Commissioner Public Relations will be its Member-Secretary.
Registered political parties and candidates will have to apply in prescribed proforma to obtain permission for publication, broadcast and telecast for proposed material. Registered political parties and candidates will move application 3 days before publication and unregistered political parties and candidates 7 days before publication.
The committee will dispose of application within 2 days. On receipt of complaint from a person or observer, the committee will undertake enquiry and submit its report to concerning returning officer, who will in turn issue notice to concerning candidate reply to which will have to be given within 48 hours.
One-sided action will be taken if reply is not received within time-limit. Accordingly, assumed expenses at the rate fixed by DPR/DAVP will be calculated and included in concerning candidate’s election expenses. The committee will also enquire into electioneering material published by political parties and candidates. The committee may also investigate suspicious paid news and telecast sou moto.
A candidate can appeal against orders of district level MCMC to state level committee within 48 hours after receipt of the order. The state level committee will disposed of the appeal within 96 hours. A candidate may appeal against order of state level committee to State Election Commission within 48 hours after its receipt. Decision of the State Election Commission will be final.