DMK's state organizing secretary, RS Bharathi, filed three writ petitions on April 12 against the Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer's April 4 order refusing to grant pre-certification for his election material.
In the writ petitions, the DMK has sought quashing of the rejection orders and issuing a direction to grant pre-certification for campaign materials.
RS Bharathi, in three similar affidavits filed through his lawyer S Manuraj, said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had on August 24, 2023, issued guidelines to regulate advertisements by political parties.
As per the guidelines, the State Level Certification Committee (SLCC) headed by Additional/Joint CEO will have to pre-certify the advertisements.
The DMK, which was releasing various advertisements under the Tamil title 'Indiavai Kaka Stalin Azhakireen' (Stalin asks you to protect India), has submitted some of them for pre-certification.
The DMK, in its plea, informed the court that the SLCC led by the Joint CE had canceled the pre-certification in March this year and the rejection orders were also upheld by the State Level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) led by the CEO I went.
The DMK leader said in the petition that the rejection orders were passed citing provisions that prohibit advertisements that are likely to promote hatred on the basis of religion, race, language, caste or community.
RS Bharti said that the rejection orders were passed mechanically without applying mind and with excessive delay.
The petition also said that the CEO has not given any specific reason for rejecting the appeal filed by the party against the SLCC orders.
In the writ petitions, the DMK has sought quashing of the rejection orders and issuing a direction to grant pre-certification for campaign materials.
RS Bharathi, in three similar affidavits filed through his lawyer S Manuraj, said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had on August 24, 2023, issued guidelines to regulate advertisements by political parties.
As per the guidelines, the State Level Certification Committee (SLCC) headed by Additional/Joint CEO will have to pre-certify the advertisements.
The DMK, which was releasing various advertisements under the Tamil title 'Indiavai Kaka Stalin Azhakireen' (Stalin asks you to protect India), has submitted some of them for pre-certification.
The DMK, in its plea, informed the court that the SLCC led by the Joint CE had canceled the pre-certification in March this year and the rejection orders were also upheld by the State Level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) led by the CEO I went.
The DMK leader said in the petition that the rejection orders were passed citing provisions that prohibit advertisements that are likely to promote hatred on the basis of religion, race, language, caste or community.
RS Bharti said that the rejection orders were passed mechanically without applying mind and with excessive delay.
The petition also said that the CEO has not given any specific reason for rejecting the appeal filed by the party against the SLCC orders.
