AMRITSAR: District Election Officer cum Deputy Commissioner Mr. Gurpreet Singh Khaira has issued instructions to the printing press owners as per the guidelines of Election Commission of India that they should follow the instructions of Election Commission while publishing campaign materials for any candidate or party during the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Mr Khaira stated that under Section 127A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, no person shall publish election pamphlets or posters unless they have the name and address of the printer and publisher on it.
A declaration will be taken which will be signed by the printer in two layers with the signatures of two witnesses. Immediately after publication, the printer will submit the printed material and the publisher's declaration to the office of the District Magistrate. Violation of these instructions can result in imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to Rs 2, 000 or both.
The District Electoral Officer said that during the elections advertisements are made for candidates or parties in the name of unknown persons which is against the law. Under Section 77 (1) of the Representation Act, 1951, the election expenses of the candidate concerned will be booked.
He said that if the advertisement was published with the approval of the candidate then his expenses would be added to the election expenses of the candidate but if any one advertised without the approval of the candidate then action would be taken against the publisher under section 171H. If the publisher's identity is not disclosed, appropriate action may be taken to obtain information from the newspaper concerned.
He also appealed to the media of the district to ensure the written approval of the concerned candidate before publishing any political advertisement during the elections.