EC forms panel to certify political Ads on TV

Chennai, Apr 16: In line with the directions of the Supreme Court and the Election Commission, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta has constituted a three-member panel to certify advertisements of political nature on television channels and cable networks.

The committee comprises Joint CEO P Senthilkumar as Chairman and Chennai Collector N Muruganandam and Assistant Station Director of Chennai, Doordarshan Kendra, T Rajendran as members.

The District Election Officers (DEOs) were declared ''designated officers'' for entertaining applications for certification of an advertisement proposed to be issued on cable networks or television channels by candidates. The DEOs would be assisted by one of their officers in the task of certification of applications.

Mr Naresh Gupta also announced formation of another panel to go into the complaints and grievances of any political party or candidate or any other person on the decision made by the district or state-level committee to grant or refuse certification of an advertisement.

The committee consists of Special CEO C P Singh as Chairman and Mr Piduru Raghavendra Rao and AIR Station Director, Chennai, R Balasubramanian as members.

All registered political parties having their headquarters in the state should submit their applications for certification of any advertisement three days prior to the date of commencement of the telecast. Any other person or unregistered parties should submit applications not later than seven days.

UNI