The Hindu : Front Page : EC for prior clearance of political ads

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 05, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

EC for prior clearance of political ads

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, APRIL 4. The Election Commission is in favour of the national and recognised political parties and individuals or institutions getting clearance from the Commission before the telecast of any political or surrogate advertisements on television channels or cable networks.

This was among several options decided at the Full Commission meeting on Saturday evening which discussed the Supreme Court's direction to the Commission on April 2 to suggest the modalities and the mechanism to monitor the telecast of political advertisements.

Sources told The Hindu that since it would be impossible to monitor every advertisement, it would be better if the political parties or individuals were asked to submit the advertisement to the Commission 10 days prior to the proposed telecast and obtain a certificate of clearance.

It was suggested at the meeting that a committee headed by a Deputy Election Commissioner could be empowered to view every advertisement. On April 2, the Supreme Court banned the telecast of all political or surrogate advertisements on cable networks and television channels which offended "the law of the land, morality, decency and religious susceptibility of viewers, and are shocking, disgusting and revolting." This was done to prevent mudslinging by political parties and individuals through direct or surrogate advertisements. The court has posted the case for further hearing tomorrow. The Commission is expected to submit the above suggestion to the Supreme Court tomorrow for approval.

The suggestion is that all national and recognised political parties submit the proposed advertisements before telecast to the Commission in Delhi. All registered but unrecognised political parties will submit the advertisements to Chief Electoral Officers in the States.

Any violation in the telecast of advertisements after the issuance of the certificate could be brought to the notice of the Commission or its observers for an appropriate action. The advertisements telecast in local cable networks could be brought to the observers' notice. The Commission said the print media could be subjected to such a mechanism, subject to the approval of the apex court.

The Supreme Court is hearing a special leave petition filed by the Centre challenging an interim order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court staying the operation of Rule 7(3) of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, under which no advertisements shall be permitted, the objective whereof is of a religious or political nature and advertisements must not be directed towards any religious or political end.

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

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

EC for prior clearance of political ads

`Ticket splitting' is a serious possibility

Chandrika's UPFA falls short of majority

28 killed as Spanish troops clash with Shia protesters in Iraq

Nine Indian vehicles set ablaze in Nepal

5 policemen killed in attack