The Election Commission (EC) on Monday issued a notice to the Congress-led Karnataka government over alleged model code of conduct violation by placing government ads in Telangana. It observed an advertisement showcasing welfare schemes and achievements of the Karnataka government, considering this a ‘violation of the spirit of the Model Code of Conduct.’
The poll body sought an explanation from the government for not seeking prior approval as mandated under the poll code.
Notably, the notice was served based on complaints filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS), alleging violations of the Representation of the People Act and the Model Code of Conduct. The Karnataka government had placed advertisements in Telangana media, seemingly targeting the November 30 assembly polls in Telangana.
The notice, directed to the Chief Secretary of Karnataka, noted that in the future, before the publication of such advertisements, they shall be forwarded for the approval of the Commission before being sent to newspapers in the poll-bound states.
“The Commission has observed that certain advertisements highlighting welfare schemes and achievements of the Central Government and State Governments are being published by some non-poll going State Governments, in the editions of newspapers in the States where elections are going on. The Commission considers this to be a violation of the spirits of the Model Code of Conduct,” read the ECI notice.
Expressing firmness on potential future violations, the Commission stated that the Secretary/Director of Information and Public Relations of the concerned Government would be directly responsible for such lapses.
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Furthermore, the Election Commission sought an explanation from the Karnataka government by 5.00 pm, November 28, 2023, regarding the aforementioned breach of the Model Code of Conduct. Additionally, the Commission has ordered an immediate halt to the circulation of such advertisements.
“The explanation should reach the Commission by 28th November 2023 at 5:00 pm. Further publication of any such advertisements by the Government of Karnataka in the State of Telangana shall be stopped forthwith with immediate effect till necessary approvals are taken by the Government from the Commission and explain why disciplinary action is not directed against the Secretary-in-charge of the Department of Information and Public Relations for above mentioned violations of procedure,” the notice stated.
Previously, the Commission had noted similar violations by non-poll-going states where advertisements showcasing welfare schemes and government achievements were published in newspapers of poll-bound states, thereby violating the Model Code of Conduct.
In 2013, the Commission directed that all such advertisements issued by non-poll-going states during the Model Code of Conduct period must receive clearance from the Commission before publication in newspapers distributed in poll-bound states, as PTI reported.
With the upcoming assembly polls in Telangana on November 30, a fierce contest awaits among the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), the Congress, and the BJP. The counting of the votes for all five states is due on December 3.