Hate ads: EC orders prior clearance by media panel before publication

The Election Commission today directed that no newspaper advertisement be published on April 3 and 4 in poll-bound Assam and West Bengal without prior clearance, a move which came against the backdrop of controversial advertisements issued by BJP during Bihar elections.

The first phase of election in Assam and West Bengal will be held on April 4.

In a direction issued to the Chief Electoral Officers of Assam and West Bengal, the Commission said that instances of "advertisements of offending and misleading nature" have been brought to its notice in the past.

"Such advertisements in the last stage of election vitiates the election. The affected candidates and parties will not have any opportunity of providing clarification or rebuttal in such cases," it said.

The poll watchdog said to ensure that no such instance is repeated and no untoward incident takes place because of any "inflammatory, misleading or hate advertisements", no political party, candidate, organisation or person will bring out advertisements in the print media on April 3 and 4.

Using it powers under Article 324 of the Constitution (superintendence over conduct of elections), it said the advertisements can be published only if they are pre-certified by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees working at district and state level.

The newspapers, the Commission directed, should also be informed against bringing out advertisements which have not been cleared by the committee.

During Bihar polls, the Commission had clamped a ban on publication of two controversial advertisements printed by BJP in that state.

One of the advertisements alleged that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar are "snatching the plate of dalits" by planning to transfer the quota meant for dalits and EBCs to minorities.

Another advertisement dealt with 'vote ki kheti' or vote-bank politics. It claimed that RJD, JDU and Congress leaders are "giving sanctuary" to terrorists to appease a particular community for votes.