New Delhi: Among all parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party submitted the highest number of advertisements related to the ongoing Lok Sabha polls for approval, sources at the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer told news agency PTI.
Data accessed by PTI revealed that the BJP has sought approval for approximately 2,084 political advertisements in the city, submitting nearly 517 applications to the poll body from March 13 to May 8. Following closely behind, the Indian National Congress submitted 118 applications for 349 political advertisements, reported PTI.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) submitted six applications for an equal number of advertisements pertaining to the Lok Sabha elections.
Notably, a total of 2,423 advertisements have received approval from the Chief Electoral Office, spanning across 638 applications sent by various political parties. However, three applications for 16 advertisements submitted by the BJP are currently pending approval with the poll body.
The political parties submit applications for running short films, creatives, advertisements during election time. One application can contain request for multiple advertisements and short films, an official said.
Political Parties Mandated For Approval
With the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in place during the ongoing general elections, political parties are mandated to obtain approval from the Delhi Chief Electoral Office before displaying any form of political advertisement in the city.
The responsibility for removing unauthorised political advertisements falls upon the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, spanning all 12 zones of the civic body. As of May 13, the Municipal Corporation has removed over 8.84 lakh posters, banners, hoardings, signage, flags, and other forms of political advertisements lacking approval from the CEO office, reported PTI.
The AAP and Congress have forged a strategic 4-3 seat sharing arrangement for the upcoming elections, with the BJP contesting all seats independently. Under this arrangement, AAP candidates will vie for victory in the West, South, East, and New Delhi constituencies, while Congress contenders will compete in Chandni Chowk, North East, and North West Delhi.
As Delhi gears up for polling day on May 25, anticipation mounts for a closely contested electoral battle. The nation awaits the outcome eagerly, with the counting of votes slated for June 4.