NEWS
ANALYSIS
SPECIALS
INTERVIEW
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
ISSUES
GALLERY
MANIFESTOS
OVERHEARD
INDIA SPEAKS!
DISCUSSION GROUP
CHAT
PREVIOUS RESULTS

EC bans partisan govt ads

The Election Commission has directed the central and state governments that no advertisements should be issued in the print or electronic media at the cost of the public exchequer during the election period.

In a letter to the Cabinet secretary and state chief secretaries, the commission said it had noticed in publications and other mass media "large advertisements at the cost of public exchequer".

The misuse of mass media during the election period for partisan coverage of political news and publicising achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power should be scrupulously avoided, the commission said.

It noted particularly the number of advertisements being issued by various government departments and public-sector undertakings to pay homage to the martyrs in Kargil. All such advertisements had been issued at the cost of the public exchequer, it added.

According to commission sources, issuing of advertisements at the cost of the exchequer and the misuse of the official mass media during the election period for partisan coverage are violative of the Model Code of Conduct.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report