Sanjay Kumar Pandey
Ranchi EW News: In preparation for the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a District Level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (M.C.M.C.) has been established under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi. The M.C.M.C. will operate from the first floor of the City District Office, Ranchi. Its responsibilities include pre-certification work and vigilant monitoring, particularly focusing on online news portals. Prior approval from the District Level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (M.C.M.C.) will be mandatory before broadcasting any content on electronic or social media platforms. Political parties, candidates, groups, associations, trusts, or individuals intending to disseminate any form of content on electronic media must submit their applications to the Media Certification & Monitoring Committee as per the prescribed format.
Under Section 127-E of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, regarding the printing of posters and pamphlets and advertisements, the following guidelines must be adhered to:
The name and address of the printer and publisher must be clearly stated on the posters and pamphlets, along with the quantity printed. Obtaining a declaration letter (in duplicate) from the publisher, signed by the publisher himself and two other identifiable individuals, and sending one copy of the publisher’s declaration along with a copy of the published content to the District Election Officer within two days of the completion of the printing work, is mandatory.
As per Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the expenses incurred on surrogate advertisements published in newspapers will be added to the candidate’s expenses. Such advertisements will be deemed authorized if issued with the consent of the concerned candidate or for their promotion, and the expenses incurred will be included in their election expenditure account.
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in legal action under Section 171H of the Indian Penal Code against publishers and news agencies.
