Chandigarh, September 01: Taking a “serious note” of Haryana Government carrying out publicity of its achievements through advertisements in electronic and print media, the Election Commission today issued “directions that this entire process of publicity be stopped immediately.”
Chief Electoral Officer of Haryana Sajjan Singh here said that EC had issued the directions after it was brought to its notice that “the (Bhupinder Singh Hooda) government is carrying out publicity of its achievements by issuing advertisements in the electronic and print media at the cost of the state exchequer.”
“This publicity is also being made through cable network in the cities, towns and villages. The Government is also displaying its achievements on hoardings throughout the state, that is National Highways, State Highways and other important public places. Publicity is also being done by displaying advertisements on buses,” an official release quoting Singh said.
“All these modes of publicity adopted by the Government is a violation of the Code of Conduct,” Singh said adding that the ECI has taken a serious view and issued telephonic directions today that this entire process of publicity should be stopped immediately.
The opposition parties, including the INLD and the BJP had complained that the Hooda government misused state funds to conduct the media campaign after the dissolution of the state assembly last month after which it had become clear the elections would be announced soon.
—Agencies