MCMC will monitor media published-broadcast news
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, May 5 -
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal stated that as per the Election Commission of India, candidates or political parties must obtain a certificate from the Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC) before publishing advertisements in print media on the day of voting and one day before voting.
The Chief Electoral Officer stated that voting for the Lok Sabha will take place on May 25, hence candidates must obtain certification from the MCMC before publishing proposed advertisements in print media on May 24 and on the day of voting, May 25. Otherwise, it will be considered a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. He said that for broadcasting advertisements on TV and local cable TV, certification must be obtained from the MCMC as soon as enrollment is done. To obtain certification for advertisements, the prescribed proforma must be submitted to the MCMC two days before the scheduled date of printing and broadcasting.
As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, a Media Monitoring and Certification Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the District Election Officer, he added.
Sh. Anurag Agarwal stated that the MCMC is carrying out its duties with utmost seriousness. Special control rooms have been set up to monitor paid news. He said that citizens can play the most important role in conducting free and fair elections. The more vigilant the citizens are, the stronger the democracy becomes. The MCMC will keep a close watch on news falling under the category of paid news during the elections.