New Delhi, April 6: The Election Commission of India has issued fresh guidelines mandating pre-certification of political advertisements in print media ahead of upcoming Assembly elections and bye-elections, tightening oversight to ensure a fair campaign process.
The directive applies to elections scheduled across multiple states, including Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states. The poll schedule had been announced earlier on March 15.
Under the new guidelines, no political party, candidate, organisation, or individual will be allowed to publish advertisements in print media on the day of polling or one day prior without obtaining prior approval from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC). The certification mechanism is designed to regulate campaign messaging during the critical pre-poll period.
The Commission has specified that individual candidates and applicants must approach the district-level MCMC for clearance, while recognised political parties operating at the state or Union Territory level may seek certification from the state-level MCMC.
The timeline for mandatory certification has been aligned with polling dates in each state. For Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, where voting is scheduled on April 9, certification will be required for advertisements intended for publication on April 8 and April 9. In Tamil Nadu, going to polls on April 23, the requirement will apply to April 22 and 23.
West Bengal, which will conduct elections in two phases, will follow a similar pattern. For the first phase on April 23, certification will be mandatory on April 22 and 23, while for the second phase on April 29, it will apply to April 28 and 29.
The Commission has directed that all applications for advertisement clearance must be submitted at least two days in advance of publication. MCMCs at both state and district levels have been activated to process applications and ensure timely approvals.
In addition to regulating advertisements, the Commission has instructed monitoring committees to maintain strict vigilance against paid news and take action where violations are detected.
Separately, the Commission reported intensified enforcement measures in poll-bound states. According to official data, authorities have seized illegal cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and other inducements worth over Rs 650 crore since the activation of the Electronic Seizure Management System on February 26.
The total value of seizures stands at Rs 651.51 crore, reflecting increased surveillance and enforcement efforts aimed at ensuring inducement-free elections. Officials indicated that monitoring mechanisms have been strengthened to curb electoral malpractices during the campaign period.
The latest guidelines form part of broader efforts by the Election Commission to regulate campaign practices, maintain transparency in political communication, and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
