Election Commission Notifies Karnataka Government About Advertising in Telangana and Requests Response by November 28
The Karnataka government, headed by the Congress party, received a warning from the Election Commission of India on Monday for violating the model code of conduct by airing government advertisements in Telangana. This came about as a result of a complaint submitted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that the Karnataka government had been running advertising in many newspapers in Telangana, a state that is scheduled for elections, and urging the poll body to take action against the party.
“The Commission has noted that several non-election State Governments are publishing advertising in newspaper editions in the States holding elections that showcase the accomplishments and welfare programs of the Central Government and State Governments. According to the ECI, this is a breach of the Model Code of Conduct’s ethos. This was said in a statement that was cited by news agency ANI.
The poll body, in response to the BJP and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) complaints, declared that all such advertisements, released by State governments that are not scheduled for elections during the Model Code of Conduct period, must be referred to the Commission for approval prior to being published in publications that are distributed or have editions in the states that will be holding elections.
“After reviewing its own records, the Commission discovered that neither the State of Karnataka’s application nor the Commission’s approval of it as required by the aforementioned directive was found to be waiting for a judgment. The Karnataka government’s aforementioned violation act has been given serious consideration by the Commission,” the ECI said.
Additionally, the Karnataka government requested that its reply be sent by November 28. “Explain the events that resulted in the Government’s breach of the Commission’s previously mentioned MCC directives. By November 28, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., the Commission should receive the explanation, according to ECI.
