TV serials peddling govt schemes? EC wants political content vetted

Election officials in Maharashtra directed producers of television serials Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai and Tujhse Hai Raabta to remove content that was deemed to benefit prospects of a political party.

Business Standard : Election officials in Maharashtra have asked production houses of two Hindi TV serials accused of espousing the BJP-led government's schemes to get 'politically influential' content vetted with them before it is telecast.

The content telecast was a clear violation of the model election code, an official said.

Maharashtra's additional chief electoral officer Dilip Shinde, in an order issued on Monday said, "The production houses should get politically influential content checked from election officials before using it in their serials."

The Congress had taken objection to characters in the two TV serials praising government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. The two production houses had subsequently replied to the notice

"Going by the content aired, it is evident that it is a violation of model code of conduct, he said. "We have asked the production houses to remove the content from the serials immediately," he added.

Shinde said the explanation from producers of the two serials affirms the poll officials' opinion that the content aired intends to influence "one political party".

Election officials in Maharashtra directed producers of television serials Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai and Tujhse Hai Raabta to remove content that was deemed to benefit prospects of a political party.

Last week, office of chief Electoral Officer (CEO) had served notices to Binaifer Kohli and Sanjay Kohlis Edit II Productions (Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai) and Sonali Potnis and Aamir Jaffers Full Media House (Tujhse Hai Raabta) after it received a complaint from the Congress, accusing the two shows of espousing the benefits of schemes run by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

The Congress had taken objection to characters in the two TV serials praising government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.

The two production houses had subsequently replied to the notice.

The producers had denied the allegations of promoting government schemes to propagate a political party, claiming they had no such intention. They also claimed that government schemes shown were general in nature," the official said.

The producers have also been asked to not to show any such content which may disturb the level playing field of any political party, the official said.

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: What you must know about Model Code of Conduct

The Election Commission of India has imposed 'Model Code of Conduct' (MCC) for the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Know about its history of violations, implications and restrictions.

The Election Commission of India on Sunday imposed 'Model Code of Conduct' (MCC) with immediate effect for the Lok Sabha elections 2019. What is a model code of conduct and when does it kick in? The Code comes into play as soon as the EC announces an Assembly election in a state or the Lok Sabha polls. Article 324 of the Constitution gives the Election Commission the power to monitor Central and state governments, all the candidates and political parties.

In the context of the Lok Sabha elections 2019, the Model Code of Conduct will be in force until after May 19, the last phase of polling. The Lok Sabha poll 2019 results and Assembly election results in four states — Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim — will be declared on May 23. According to the PRS Legislative Research, the Code deals with eight provisions – general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, the party in power, and election manifestos.

Here's what you must know about the Model Code of Conduct:

What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)?

This is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political parties and candidates before any elections.

When does it come into effect?

The MCC comes into force as soon as the election schedule is announced. The Code remains in force till election results are declared.

What restrictions does the Model Code of Conduct impose on government and political parties?

The moment MCC is imposed, the party in power at the Centre (in this case, the BJP-led NDA government) and those in states have to ensure that they do not use their position for campaigning. Thus, no project, scheme or policy can be announced by the government. Any campaign by the government cannot be done at the cost of the public exchequer. It cannot use official mass media for publicity to give its party an edge over others in the elections.

Politicians who hold portfolios cannot combine official visits with campaigns. They cannot use government transport for campaigning. The issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in newspapers and other media is also considered an offence.

Business Standard