The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Panel’s clearance mandatory for ads

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Tuesday, Mar 03, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Panel’s clearance mandatory for ads

Special Correspondent

Additional CEO to head committee

- PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Geared up: Chief Electoral Officer I.V. Subba Rao announcing the poll schedule for the State in Hyderabad on Monday.

HYDERABAD: Soon after announcing the election schedule for the State, the Election Commission on Monday imposed a ban on advertisements issued by political parties to TV channels and newspapers and announced that they would be subject to scrutiny by a State-level committee specially constituted for the purpose.

The committee will be headed by additional chief electoral officer Harpreet Singh and comprise the joint collector, Hyderabad (Urban) and a deputy director from Doordarshan.

Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao declared that the model code came into force from 3.30 pm on Monday when the election schedule was announced. Therefore, the ban would apply to the advertisements in the electronic as well as in the print media. These ads too would need clearance by the committee.

He said the CDs and transcripts would have to be submitted to the committee for clearance. Cases would be booked under the election law if the ads fomented hatred in society and disturbed harmony. Three-member local committees were similarly constituted with the tehsildar, the local sub-inspector, and a videographer to prevent political parties from defacing public and private properties with wall-writing, posters, etc. Mobile task forces would reach the place of offence on a tip-off by the public using the helpline (toll-free no 1100). These committees would provide feedback to him daily at 5 p.m., he said.

Do’s and don’ts

Mr. Subba Rao declared all the government orders issued after 3.30 p.m. on Monday would be “invalid” if they dealt with announcement of a scheme, grant of a benefit, transfer of an official, etc.

Specifying the do’s and don’ts to the Chief Minister and Ministers, he said the code prohibited them from announcing and inaugurating schemes and laying foundations and from using official vehicles except for going to office from the residence and back.

The Chief Minister must not use helicopter for campaigning and if he wanted to use this or bullet-proof Tata Safari officially provided to him, he should foot the bill. He and Ministers could not stay in government guesthouses while canvassing and summon officials in the name of departmental reviews.

However, they could speak on “old records” of their achievements. The code provided for stoppage of campaigning and use of loudspeakers by 10 p.m. The number of vehicles in a convoy must not exceed three.

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