The Hindu : EC withdraws ban

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 23, 2003

National

National

EC withdraws ban

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI NOV. 22. The Election Commission today withdrew its order banning political parties and candidates from advertising on the electronic media. The order was first issued in August 1999 and confirmed on November 19 this year.

In its letter No.437/MSC/99 dated 20th August 1999, the Commission said it took into account the views expressed by political party representatives that "extensive advertisements on the electronic media can be afforded only by a few major parties and would, therefore, introduce serious distortions in the electoral arena. In the process, in a poor country such as India, democracy will be totally disturbed by money power."

The Commission, in a letter to the Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of all States and union territories said it was withdrawing the orders after "reconsideration of all aspects of the case and in the light of the Andhra Pradesh High Court judgment."

The judgment cited by the Commission is from 1999 in a case filed by the Telugu Desam Party and Gemini TV. A source in the Election Commission said the court held that the Commission did not have the powers to impose a ban on advertising by political parties.

Explaining why the order had not been withdrawn earlier, and why the November 19 order was issued, the Deputy Election Commissioner, A.N. Jha, said the court's verdict was brought to the Commission's notice "only yesterday" — November 21.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National