Bhubaneswar, October 14: Ahead of Bihar Assembly elections and bye-elections in eight constituencies across six States, including Nuapada of Odisha and the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday directed all political parties to obtain pre-certification from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) before publishing or broadcasting any political advertisements on electronic or digital platforms, including social media.
The ECI has issued orders on the October 9 requiring every registered/National and State Political Party and every contesting candidate to apply to the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for pre-certification of all political advertisements on electronic media including social media before publication.
“MCMCs have been constituted at the District and State levels for pre-certification of political advertisements as per the prescribed guidelines. No political advertisements are to be released to any internet-based media/websites, including social media websites, by political parties/ candidates without pre-certification from the respective MCMC. MCMCs shall also keep a strict vigil on suspected cases of paid news in the media and take suitable action,” said the ECI.
The ECI also stated, “Further, given the penetration of social media in the electoral landscape, candidates have also been instructed to share the details of their authentic social media accounts at the time of filing nomination.”
According to Section 77(1) of Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, political parties should also submit a statement of expenditure incurred on campaigning through internet including social media websites to the ECI within 75 days of the completion of the assembly elections.
“Such expenditure, among other things, shall include payments made to internet companies and websites for carrying advertisements and also campaign related expenditure on development of content and operational expenditure incurred to maintain their social media accounts.No political advertisements are to be released to any internet-based media/websites, including social media websites, by political parties/ candidates without pre-certification from the respective MCMC,” the poll body said.
The Bihar assembly polls are scheduled to be held for all 243 seats in two phases, on November 6 and 11. Bye-election to Nuapada Assembly segment will also be held on November 11. The results are expected to be announced on November 14.
Tags: prameyanews Election Nuapada By-elections Election Commission of India
