EC: Games ads violate model code

The Election Commission on Monday issued notices to three senior officials of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee for releasing advertisements that amounted to violation of the model code of conduct.

The advertisements,published on March 6,related to the Commonwealth Games and mentioned creation of several infrastructure facilities like flyovers,aerobridge airports,Metro destinations,restoration of national monuments among others. As per the Election Commission,it could be construed as highlighting achievements of the Centre as also the Delhi government.

In its notice,the EC asked the officials who approved the advertisements to show cause why the total cost of the advertisement,worth over Rs 26 lakh,should not be recovered from their personal accounts in equal proportions and reimbursed to the committee’s account. The EC has sought their response within five days.

The EC notice has been served on the Games organising committee’s joint director-general Shovana Narayan,additional director-general Neel Chatterjee,and deputy director-general Bharat Prasad.