GHMC Issues Do and Don'ts for Poll-Related Advertisements

Hyderabad district election officer and GHMC commissioner Ronald Rose on Thursday made it clear that graffiti on walls (with the permission of the owner), poll-related displays on vehicles, video advertisements broadcast on radio, bulk SMS messages and content on websites should get prior clearance from the district election officer's office.

He said, "A media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC) will be set up in the CPRO section in our headquarters. It will identify paid news in newspapers, electronic and social media."

The panel comprises Hyderabad district joint collector, district election officer, deputy director of information bureau, a senior journalist and the civic body’s



CPRO.

The committee will monitor violations by the media, who are also mandated to get its approval to carry all kinds of political advertisements. The media has been told to refrain from attacks on religion and caste, abusive language, inappropriate remarks, inciting violence and defying court judgments. Similarly, every printing press should take permission before printing posters and handouts.

He clarified that only contestants from Hyderabad district will be permitted to release political advertisements. Recognised and registered political parties will have to apply to the state-level MCMC committee regarding political announcements.