EC bans political ads in newspapers on Dec 8, 9

The Election Commission (EC) has banned publication of political advertisements in print media closer to the date of polling for the Assembly elections in Gujarat, unless the contents have already been cleared by authorities at district or state levels.

The poll panel took note of the "offending and misleading nature" of some political advertisements published in print media ahead of polling. "Such advertisements in the last stage of election vitiate the entire election process. The affected candidates and parties will not have any opportunity of providing clarification/rebuttal in such cases," the Election Commission wrote to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Gujarat on Monday.

The poll panel asked the CEO to ensure that no political advertisements appear in newspapers on December 8 and 9 unless the contents had already been cleared by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committees at district or state levels.

The first phase of polling in Gujarat will take place on December 9, while the second will be held on December 14.