The Election Commission has issued a notice to the Karnataka government for publishing advertisements regarding welfare schemes and achievements in several newspapers in poll-bound Telangana. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the advertisements, asserting that they merely highlight the welfare measures undertaken by the government and do not solicit votes.
Shivakumar argued that the Election Commission’s notice is not in accordance with the law, emphasizing that the government has not explicitly sought votes in the advertisements. “Politically, we have not asked for votes. We only gave advertisements on the works done by our government here”
The Election Commission, in its notice, deemed the advertisements a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. It expressed concern over the publication of advertisements by non-poll-going state governments in states where elections are underway, considering it a breach of the spirit of the Model Code of Conduct.
The Commission acted upon representations by the BJP and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), pointing out that the Karnataka government had published advertisements of various welfare schemes and achievements in Telangana from November 24 to 27 in the Hyderabad edition of several newspapers.
In response, the Election Commission directed the Karnataka government to provide an explanation by 5 pm on November 28. The notice requires the government to clarify the circumstances leading to the violation of the Model Code of Conduct and explain why disciplinary action has not been initiated against the Secretary-in-charge of the Department of Information and Public Relations for the alleged procedural violations.
The Commission also issued a directive to halt further publication of any such advertisements by the Government of Karnataka in the State of Telangana until necessary approvals are obtained. Going forward, all advertisements by non-poll-going state governments during the Model Code of Conduct period must receive clearance from the Election Commission before publication in newspapers circulated in poll-bound states.
