ECI guidelines on pre-certification of political ads in print media
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday issued detailed guidelines on the pre-certification of political advertisements in print media for the upcoming Assembly elections and bye-elections, aimed at ensuring a free and fair campaign environment.
The Commission had earlier, on March 15, announced the schedule for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states.
As part of its measures, the ECI stated that no political party, candidate, organisation, or individual shall publish any advertisement in print media on the poll day or one day prior to it without prior certification from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) at the state or district level.
The Commission clarified that individual candidates and other applicants may approach the District MCMC for certification, while recognised political parties headquartered in a state or union territory can apply to the state-level MCMC.
According to the poll schedule, pre-certification of print advertisements will be mandatory on specific dates.
For Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, where polling will be held on April 9, pre-certification will be required for advertisements published on April 8 and 9.
