The Gujarat Election Commission on Thursday announced formation Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) at state as well as district level to keep watch on paid news and other advertisements used by candidates during their election campaign.
It has been made mandatory for all parties and candidates to seek prior permission and certificate of the state Election Commission before broadcast of any advertisement on electronic media for election campaign.
The MCMC would consist of six members including district election officer, assistant returning officer, an officer from the Union minister of information and broadcasting, an independent citizen or a veteran journalist and an officer of the state information department. The state level committee would be headed by the Chief Electoral Officer of the state. "Every party and candidate will have to take prior permission of the Election Commission to broadcast any advertisement. The MCMCs would keep watch on all the parties and candidates. It will also receive and look into complaints against paid news," Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Anit Karwal said in a statement. The committees could also act suo motu and issue notices to the candidates.
