*Ban on Misleading Advertisements Targeting Voters*
“Raipur. November “The Election Commission of India has issued comprehensive guidelines to restrain misleading advertisements in electronic, social media, and print media during the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly General Elections 2023. According to these guidelines, Pre certification is mandatory for political advertisements published in print media on the day of voting and the day before.
Chief Electoral Officer Mrs. Reena Babasaheb Kangale, providing details regarding the issued letter by the Election Commission of India, stated that for the second phase of voting for the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly elections, it is mandatory to obtain Pre certification from the district or state-level Media Certification and Monitoring Committees for the publication of political advertisements in print media on the day before polling and on the polling day, November 16 and November 17. The Election Commission of India has directed the state-level and district-level Media Certification Committees to take prompt decisions on the applications received for certification.
Chief Electoral Officer Mrs. Reena Babasaheb Kangale, mentioned that after the publication of misleading advertisements in the print media before the polling day and on the polling day, the affected party or candidate does not have any opportunity for clarification or rebuttal. Therefore, to ensure free, transparent, and fair elections, it’s essential to certify advertisements beforehand.