New Delhi, April 15
The Election Commission today issued detailed guidelines for political parties, individuals and organisations planning to advertise on television and cable networks.
The expenses incurred by individuals and political party would be added on to the election expenditure of the candidates and political party.
However, the grey area is such advertisements by individuals or organisation in favour of a candidate or political outfit, who declare that the cost has been paid by candidate or party.
In its order on April 13, the apex Court had said no recognised national or state political party proposing to issue advertisements on the electronic media could do so without first applying to the Election Commission or its designated official three days before the telecast.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice V. N. Khare, Mr Justice S. B. Sinha, and Mr Justice S. H. Kapadia, which had finalised the parameters for the guidelines, said these would be binding on political parties, candidates, and all others concerned.
Following these orders, the Commission today formulated the guidelines.
While the poll panel would clear the advertisements two days prior to the telecast of such advertisement for the first phase of polling, it would clear in three days all advertisement submitted for clearance.
In detailed guidelines to the Chief Electoral Officers of all the states and union territories, the Commission directed them to constitute committees for previewing, scrutinising and certifying individuals.
The poll panel asked the CEO to constitute a committee comprising additional/joint Chief Electoral officers as chairperson, Returning Officer of any parliamentary constituency and one expert being an officer not below the rank of Class-I office.
The order said the certification shall contain the cost of production of the advertisement,
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