The Election Commission on Monday banned telecast of three video campaign materials – two of the AIADMK and one of the Congress targeted at their political opponents during election campaign — on the ground that they violated the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.
One of the campaign videos of the AIADMK related to ‘Oru Kudumba Aatchi’ (family rule), being telecast on electronic and social media, was meant to influence voters based on unverified allegations or distortions, a communication from Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo to media houses said.
Another video of the AIADMK was about three persons displaying the symbols of three religions and it too was based on “unverified allegations or distortions”, the communication said, adding that it violated the Compendium of Instructions on Model Code of Conduct.
The CEO also stopped a campaign video of the Congress.
As per the Compendium of Instructions on Model Code of Conduct, other parties or their workers shall not be criticised based on unverified allegations or on distortions. Under the Cable Television Networks Rules if the Election Commission was satisfied that there was a violation of the order or any provisions of the law, it would order the violator to stop such violations.
“It would also be open to direct seizure of the equipment. Every order shall be promptly complied with by the persons on whom such order is served,” he stated.
The telecast of video will attract severe punishment and penal provisions of the Cable TV Act, the communication stated.
Earlier, the EC stopped the telecast of three other videos of the AIADMK on grounds of violation.
