Political advertisements in poll-bound States on the eve and the day of elections will require prior clearance from the Election Commission. In a communication issued on Saturday ahead of the first phase of elections falling on April 4 in Assam and West Bengal, the poll panel directed that no newspaper advertisement be published on April 3 and 4 without its prior clearance.
The direction was issued by the EC Central office in New Delhi to the Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) of Assam and West Bengal, noting that in the past there have been instances of “advertisements of offending and misleading nature” being published in newspapers. The reference was to certain advertisements published by the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections last year.
“Such advertisements in the last stage of elections vitiate election. The affected candidates and parties will not have any opportunity of providing clarification or rebuttal in such cases,” the Commission said. The poll watchdog, having learnt from the past experience told the State CEOs to ensure no untoward incident takes place because of any “inflammatory, misleading or hate advertisements” brought out by any political party, candidate, organisation or person.
The instruction was issued under the Commission’s power under Article 324 of the Constitution which relates to superintendence over conduct of elections. It stated that any advertisement before being published on the eve and on date of elections will require pre-certification by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committees working with the EC at district and State level.
The newspapers, the Commission directed, should also be informed against bringing out advertisements which have not been cleared by the committee.
During Bihar polls, the Commission had clamped a ban on publication of two controversial advertisements printed by BJP in the State. One of the advertisements alleged that RJD chief lalu Prasad and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar are “snatching the plate of Dalits” by planning to transfer the quota meant for Dalits and EBCs to minorities.
Another advertisement dealt with ‘vote ki kheti’ or vote-bank politics. It claimed that RJD, JDU and Congress leaders are “giving sanctuary” to terrorists to appease a particular community for votes.