Strict watch on 'paid news', money withdrawals

Against the background of the May 5 Karnataka State Assembly elections, the district returning officer (DRO) has been issuing a series of guidelines to be followed for the strict implementation of the election code of conduct being enforced by the Election Commission (EC). The two of latest being on 'paid news' and 'withdrawal of big sums from banks'.

In the two guidelines issued by the new deputy commissioner, who is also the district returning officer C Shika, who has replaced Rame Gowda, has written a letter to the district lead bank manager to keep a watch on all banks in the district on withdrawal of big sums and regularly report to her. Notification for polls to 11 Assembly seats in the district, which has already been announced by the EC, will be officially issued on April 10, she said adding it had directed that daily transactions in banks in the district be strictly monitored so that the EC could have control over the election expenditure incurred by candidates and political parties. Details of withdrawals of Rs 1 lakh and above under suspicious circumstances should be reported to the Income-Tax Department.

In the second guideline relating to 'paid news', she said the EC had directed the formation of a district-level committee to keep watch on all advertisements given by political parties to electronic media and 'paid news' published in print media. The committee will comprise of the the DRO, a magisterial officer of sub-divisional level, publicity officer of the Department of Information and Publicity, Government of India, a journalist recommended by the Press Council of India or a member of the public, and District Publicity Officer, Government of Karnataka.

Advertisements for announcements in the electronic media may be approved by the DRO or the Sub-Divisional Officers. However, all the committee members have to look into instances of 'paid news'. The committee should keep watch over all print and electronic media, including cable networks, Internet and mobile networks. Whether the candidate has paid for it or not, its cost according to the newspaper rate or the media rate fixed by the Department of Information should be added to the candidate's poll expenses, she said. Advertisements in the electronic media should be submitted for prior approval and a general watch should be kept on advertisements in the print media and should be reported to the DRO. If the publicity is unauthorised without the candidate's approval, action should be taken against those who have released it.

Also, it is compulsory to print the printer's and publisher's name in all other publicity material, like leaflets and posters, the DRO added.

In another release, Shika has also asked the district officials to furnish details of officers to be appointed as 'micro-observers' for 'critically sensitive' polling booths.