Hyderabad: District Election Officer (DEO) Ronald Rose has issued a directive, which requires the political parties and leaders to obtain permission for the advertisement placements on social media platforms from Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC).
This regulation covers not only electronic media but also local cable, FM radio, online media, bulk SMS, video messages, cinema advertisements, and pamphlet printing so that any such medium requires permission from the Election Commission of India.
Ronald Rose mentioned that the MCMC will be in charge of the process and will be posted at the CPRO’s office till the GHMC head office. Political leaders are to submit their applications to the media council at least 24 hours before airing any advertisements.
The DEO mandated the special conditions for the pamphlets, and the publisher’s name, address, and the code of conduct for the election should be put on the pamphlets. Candidates are not allowed to use pamphlets for campaigning against opponents about caste, on-going court cases, or other personal issues.
It is likely that disobedience to the rules may result in prosecution under Section 127A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which demands to have the publisher’s name on all the printed materials.
District election officers has also taken the initiative to increase the same. The city’s SVEEP program which has been established solely for that reason is not just sending out employees but it also organizes voter-centric cultural events.
So far, Mettuguda, Sitaphalmandi, Ramnagar, Tarnaka, Yousufguda, Ameerpet, and Begumpet areas are covered. Extra care is being taken for the facilities provided to the Persons with Disability (PWD) and the encouragement for them to vote.
