On the day of polling, political advertisements will not be published in print media without the permission of the State and District Media Certification and Monitoring Committee – Haryana Chief Electoral Officer

Chandigarh, May 8 – Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Shri Anurag Agarwal said that as per the guidelines of the Election Commission, any kind of political advertisement cannot be published in the print media without the permission of the State and District, Media Certification and Monitoring Committee on the day of polling or a day prior.

The Chief Electoral Officer was addressing a review meeting of the department officers regarding the Lok Sabha elections. The Commission has decided that during the final phase of the entire election process, there is no need to engage in protecting or misleading anyone through political advertisements in the print media. He said that permission will have to be obtained from the MCMC two days in advance to publish advertisements in print media on the day of voting and one day before voting.

He said that under Section 77(1) and 127A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Commission has directed that when publishing any advertisement or election-related material of any political party or candidate during the election period in the print media, the publisher must display their name and address along with the advertisement.

He said that if there is a violation of the provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, orders will be issued against the violator, and their equipment may be seized. He said that all types of advertisements or paid news should be published under the rules of the Press Council of India and the Press and Registration of Books Act, 2020, and the rules of the News Broadcasters Association and Digital Association. He said that a committee has also been formed at the level of the Election Commission of India to monitor complaints of such paid news, which includes Additional Director General (news) of News Service Section of All India Radio, Additional Director General of DAVP New Delhi, members of the Press Council of India, Members of the Press Council of India, Principal Secretary, Secretary (Election Expenditure In-charge), Principal Secretary (Legal) of the respective State and Union Territory, Principal Secretary In-charge (CC&BE Division), Director, Principal Secretary, Deputy Secretary (Media Division). The committee will hear appeals against decisions of the state-level MCMC committee. As far as cases of paid news are concerned, complaints received directly by the Commission will be forwarded to the state-level MCMC committee for consideration.

================================

*Political parties and candidates should strictly follow the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ of election – Chief Electoral Officer

*During elections, criticism of other political parties and candidates should be restricted only to their policies, programmes, past records and works

*Cooperate with all election officials to ensure peaceful and orderly poll – Anurag Agarwal

Chandigarh, May 8- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has drawn up a list of ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ to be followed by political parties and contesting candidates till the completion of the process of General Election to Lok Sabha 2024 in Haryana.

Giving more information, Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana, Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that political parties and candidates are advised to follow the guidelines and cooperate in conducting the elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner in the State.

While referring to the Dos to be followed by political parties and contesting candidates, he said that with a view to ensure a level playing field, public places like maidans and helipads must be available impartially to all parties and contesting candidates. He said that during elections, criticism of other political parties and candidates should be restricted only to their policies, programs, past records, and works.

With this, the right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbed home life should be fully safeguarded. He further said that the local police authorities should be fully informed and necessary permission is taken well in time, of the venue and time of the proposed meetings, he added.

Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that the restrictive or prohibitory orders in force, if any, in the place of the proposed meeting should be fully respected. He said that the permission must be obtained for use of loudspeakers or any other such facilities for the proposed meetings and police assistance should be taken from the police authorities, in case of any disturbance and untoward incident caused by any person.

He said that the time and place of the starting and termination of any procession and the route to be followed should be finalized in advance and prior permissions obtained from the police authorities. The passage of the procession must be without hindrance to traffic.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that cooperation should be extended to all election officials to ensure peaceful and orderly voting. He said that all political workers engaged in elections have to show their badges or identity cards given to them by their parties. The informal identity slip issued to the voters should be on plain (white) paper and on which there should be no mention of any name, party symbol or the name of the candidate on it.

He said that restrictions on plying of vehicles during the campaign period and on the poll day should be fully obeyed and any complaint or problem regarding the conduct of elections should be brought to the notice of the Election Commission’s Observer, Returning Officer, Zonal or Sector Magistrate or Chief Electoral Officer/Election Commission of India.

He said that the directions, orders or instructions of the Election Commission/ Returning Officer or District Election Officer, in all matters related to various aspects of elections should be strictly complied with in all matters relating to various aspects of elections. Do leave the constituency after the campaign period is over if you a person is not a voter or a candidate or candidate’s election agent from that constituency.

While referring to the Don’ts, Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that no official work should be mixed with campaigning or electioneering and no inducement, financial or otherwise, should be offered to the voter. Apart from this, no appeal on the basis of caste or communal feelings of the electors and no activity which may aggravate differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes, communities, religious or linguistic groups, should be attempted.

He said that in order to maintain purity of elections and bring transparency in process of elections, political parties are advised to avoid transactions in cash and instruct their office bearers, official, agents and candidates not to carry huge amount of cash during elections. No disturbances shall be created in public meetings or processions organized by other political parties or candidates and the posters issued by other parties and candidates shall not be removed or defaced. No use of loudspeakers, whether static or mounted on moving vehicles, between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.

================================

The Vice-Chancellor of Maharishi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Professor Rajbir Singh, inaugurated a blood donation camp organized by the MDU Youth Red Cross (YRC) Society on World Red Cross Day today.

Chandigarh, May 8 - The Vice-Chancellor of Maharishi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Professor Rajbir Singh, inaugurated a blood donation camp organized by the MDU Youth Red Cross (YRC) Society on World Red Cross Day today. He stated that while blood donation gives a new life to those in need, it also keeps the donor healthy. Blood donation regulates blood flow in the veins and helps maintain balanced iron levels in the body.

Professor Rajbir Singh encouraged blood donors and raised awareness among the attendees about the importance of blood donation at the Student Activity Centre of the university today. He emphasized the vital role of blood donation in health, stating that it stimulates the production of fresh, healthy blood cells.

A total of 47 units of blood were collected at this blood donation camp. On this occasion, the program coordinator of the YRC, Prof. Anju Dhiman, and the Chief Consultant of University Outreach, Prof. Rajkumar, also shared their thoughts.

===================================

Redcross aims to serve humanity selflessly- Prof. Som Nath Sachdeva

Chandigarh, May 8- Vice Chancellor, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Prof. Som Nath Sachdeva said that the Red Cross aims to serve humanity selflessly. The Red Cross's spirit of social service always inspires people to serve the victims and the needy to keep humanity alive.

Prof. Som Nath Sachdeva was speaking as the chief guest at a program organized on World Red Cross Day at Kurukshetra University today. On this occasion, he administered an oath to all, including the Youth Red Cross volunteers, to work with the spirit of humanity, social welfare, impartiality, voluntary service, and national unity, and called upon them to imbibe its 7 principles in their lives.

He said that the Red Cross organisation is working with the true spirit of humanity in many names worldwide and is celebrated as World Red Cross Day on the birth anniversary of Sir Jean Henry Dunant. It is one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations with 171 members and 1.6 crore volunteers.

He said that the KU Youth Red Cross has also been helping the needy for the past many years. Blood donation, first aid, and road safety camps are also organized by the KU Youth Red Cross from time to time.