Talking to PTI here today, Rao said, "The committee will monitor political advertisements aired on TV channels and cable network during the electoral process. No political advertisements should be aired on TV channels or cable networks without obtaining prior certificate from the MCMC."
The committee headed by Rao comprises the Assistant Returning Officer of Manjalpur assembly constituency, Director of the All India Radio, Joint Director of Information and a senior citizen.
They will preview, scrutinise and verify all advertisements by individual contesting candidates or political parties, before it aired by the electronic media. The MCMC will also keep tabs on paid news.
Candidates or political parties should make an application before the MCMC indicating the cost of production of the advertisement, the approximate cost of proposed telecast on TV channel or cable network, along with the break-up of number of insertions and rates proposed to be charged for each such insertion. The application shall also contain a statement whether the advertisement inserted is for the purpose of election of the candidate or a party.
A statement, that all payments shall be made by way of cheque or demand draft, should also be enclosed. Every such application should be accompanied with two copies of the proposed advertisement in the electronic form along with a duly attested transcript thereof.
While taking a decision on the application for the certification, the MCMC may ask the applicant to delete or modify any part of the advertisement.