EC asks CEOs to form committees to scrutinise ad applications

Armed with the SC directive to crack down on surrogate political advertisements on television, the EC empowered the Chief Electoral Officers of all states to constitute a committee to scrutinise applications for certification of any advertisement to be telecasted.

Armed with the Supreme Court directive to crack down on surrogate political advertisements on television, the Election Commission on Thursday empowered the Chief Electoral Officers of all states to constitute a committee to scrutinise applications for certification of any advertisement to be telecasted.

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In detailed guidelines, the Commission has directed the CEO of Delhi to constitute a three-member Committee to entertain applications from all registered political parties and groups having their headquarters in Delhi for certification of any advertisement.

While Joint Chief Electoral Officer would chair the Committee, Returning Officer of any Parliamentary Constituency in Delhi and a class-I officer from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting would be its other members.

Similarly, CEOs of states and union territories have been directed to constitute similar panels for the purpose.

The Returning Officer of every Lok Sabha constituency would be declared as Designated Officers for the purpose of entertaining application for certification of an advertisement on TV channel or cable network by an individual candidate.

The CEOs have also been authorised to constitute a committees to look into grievances of any political party or candidate with regard to the decision to grant or refuse certification of an advertisement, the EC said.