MCMC approval mandated for advertisements in electronic media

Chandigarh, September 25, 2018: In the pursuance of the Supreme Court's directions, Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued the guidelines for political parties about advertisements. Commission has mandated that political parties should get approval certification prior from Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) regarding advertisements in the electronic media.

Disclosing this here, a Spokesperson of the Office of Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab said that the Supreme Court had pronounced judgment in a case on April 13, 2004 under Article 142 of the Constitution. Court pronounced that all the political parties, candidates, persons, group of persons of Trusts, who propose to insert the advertisement in the Electronic Media (including cable networks and TV channels), bind to get the prior approval certificate from MCMC.

Divulging details Spokesperson said that this order is applicable in the whole of the territory of India at all times and not restricted during the period commencing from the date of announcement and till the completion of election process. He said that these instructions have already been given to all District Election Officers, Returning Officers, Media, Political Parties and all other stakeholders including electronic media houses in the State and requested to follow the guidelines of honorable Supreme Court.

He further said that the failure to comply with the orders of the Supreme Court will amount to contempt of the court.