To ensure accountability and transparency in campaign communications, the Election Commission of India has ordered clear identification of printer and publisher on printed election-related material including hoardings.

The decision was taken by the Commission consisting of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu after complaints were received stating that in hoarding spaces controlled by Municipal authorities, hoardings without the identity of the printer or publisher have been noticed.

ECI stated that Section 127A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, unequivocally prohibits the printing or publishing of election pamphlets, posters, placards, or banners without prominently displaying the name and address of the printer and publisher. This requirement of disclosing the identity of publishers serves as a cornerstone for regulating campaign financing and fixing of responsibility in case content is found unbecoming of the framework of Model Code of Conduct or the statutory provisions, it added.

The Commission also reminded that Misinformation is one of the challenges along with Money and Muscle power, for a level playing field and informed that it has decided to put the accountability on printers, publishers, licensees/contractors of urban local bodies renting out outdoor advertising space for the political advertisements published on outdoor media.

ECI also informed that while allowing political ads for promotion of a party/candidate, any political advertisement given against a party or candidate is prohibited. Any political ad released at the cost of exchequer regarding advertisement of a party/government in power is also prohibited. All political advertisements will be displayed only after certification/approval of the designated authority responsible for approving advertisement, it said.