EC censors political ads in UP, bans Big B's adv for SP

Lucknow, Feb 22 (UNI) A day after the Assembly election dates were announced in Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission (EC) has censored all political advertisements, including their publication and telecast on satellite channels -- temporarily banning Big B's TV campaign for the ruling Samajwadi Party.

In the last few months, superstar star Amitabh Bachchan has been actively appearing in advertisements for SP, highlighting development and good law and order situation in UP.

EC has constituted a committee headed by UP Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anuj Kumar Bishnoi to scrutinise the content of political advertisements and approve them.

Talking to mediapersons here, Mr Bishnoi said the EC decision was in wake of the Supreme Court directive for scanning all political advertisements during the election.

''Political parties have also to furnish written transcripts of the ads to the state election office for approval before being aired or published,'' he informed.

Mr Bishnoi said the entire process would focus on the ad content and not the financial aspect.

While Mr Bishnoi will head the state committee to review advertisements, the district returning officers or district magistrates would chair similar committees in the districts.

Meanwhile, the CEO has sent all orders relating to the enforcement of model code of conduct in Uttar Pradesh to the state government and ordered strict monitoring of the EC directives.

UNI