PANAJI: The advertisements of BJP government’s social welfare schemes on TV and in social media have come under the scanner of the Election Commission of India after prima facie it appeared to be violation of code of conduct.
The commission has restricted highlighting state government social schemes through TV advertisements and social media platform until further order of appellate authority on political advertisements.
The BJP has filed an appeal before the appellate authority, chaired by chief electoral officer, against the decision of media certification and monitoring committee putting restriction on the advertisements.
The appeal is under investigation. A top official of the state poll panel said, “Prima facie it is a violation of the code of conduct. The advertisements should not be used as campaign material to influence voters; either they have to be charged as paid advertisements or screening has to be stopped. It should be based on the parameters and instructions issued by the MCMC.”
Citing the ECI guidelines, the senior-most poll official said, “Political parties can’t promote schemes through TV advertisements or social media during electioneering… TV and social media platforms are not a forum to be used to popularise and promote a state government scheme during electioneering.”
They can highlight on beneficiaries and the best platforms to propagate a scheme are manifesto and public speeches, he said.
The matter is pending before the appellate authority for instructions and the appellate authority’s decision would be binding on the political party, he said.
Out of 40 applications the MCMC has rejected 13 applications received for certification of advertisements in electronic and social media.