HC stays EC order prohibiting election-related ads

The bench posted further hearing in the case to September 9. The TDP challenged the EC order on the ground that the Commission had no policy with regard to private electronic media in the 1998 elections as mentioned in its circular and contended that allowing publicity in the print media and not allowing it in the electronic media was discriminatory.

The commission8217;s order was violative of Article 19 of the Constitution which guaranteed the right to freedom of speech and expression, the court observed.