The Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab, Sibin C, has constituted state-level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) and Certification of Advertisement Committee as per the directions of the Election Commission of India.
He mentioned that a six-member committee has been formed for MCMC, while the Certification of Advertisement Committee will have four members. The MCMC will be chaired by Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer, Sibin C, while Additional Chief Electoral Officer Abhijeet Kaplish will serve as the Member Secretary. A DG/ADG level officer, nominated by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), will serve as the Nodal Officer. The other three members include the Assistant Director of CBC Chandigarh, Baljit Singh, the Observer appointed by the Election Commission of India for Anandpur Sahib Parliamentary Constituency, and a member nominated by the Press Council of India, Vinod Kohli.
Similarly, the Certification of Advertisement Committee will be chaired by Additional Chief Electoral Officer Abhijeet Kaplish. The other members include Assistant Director of CBC Chandigarh, Baljit Singh, a DG/ADG level officer nominated by Press Information Bureau , and the returning officer of Fatehgarh Sahib Parliamentary Constituency.
Sibin C stated that the MCMC Committee will dispose of the cases related to appeals against the orders of District Level Media Certification and Management Committee (MCMC) and Additional/Joint CEO Committees on certification of advertisements and examining all cases of paid news on appeal against the decision of District Level MCMC and all cases in which the concerned Returning Officer is directed to issue notices to the candidates.
On the other hand, the Certification of Advertising Committee will deal with the applications by political parties and organisations, relating to advertisements.
State Level Media Monitoring Cell also operating actively
Sibin C, said that the State Level Media Monitoring Cell has been set up and is operating actively since last many days. He stated that television news channels, print media, social media platforms and websites are being closely monitored in light of the Lok Sabha Elections, 2024. Following the imposition of Election Code of Conduct, activities in the State Media Monitoring Cell will be significantly intensified.
It is noteworthy that the State Media Monitoring Cell, through the officials of Information and Public Relations Department and skilled social media experts, diligently monitors all newspapers, news channels, social media platforms, and websites to ensure adherence to the instructions and regulations set forth by the Election Commission of India. Moreover, it serves as a pivotal hub for disseminating crucial information and updates related to the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 to the media. This communication will persist after the implementation of the Election Code of Conduct also.
(From Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab )