Strict action will be taken for violating the rules says Pankaj Agarwal
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, September 11 –
Haryana CEO Pankaj Agarwal said that as per the guidelines of the EC of India, candidates and political parties cannot broadcast advertisements without the approval and certification of the MCMC. Strict action will be taken in accordance with the rules for any violations.
Pankaj Agarwal said that MCMC have been formed at both the district and state levels for the upcoming general assembly elections. These committees will approve all election-related advertisements and will also keep a watch on paid news as well. All political advertisements to be broadcast on electronic media must be pre-certified by the respective MCMC. This applies to all electronic media, including TV channels, cable networks, radio, private FM channels, cinema halls, public places with audio-visual displays, phone voice messages, bulk SMS, and social media or internet websites, said the Chief Electoral Officer.
Agarwal said that considering the misuse of social media and incidents of paid news, teams have been set up to monitor content posted on social media websites and the internet by candidates and political parties, following the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.