Kolkata: The Election Commission has banned an election advertisement by BJP for using children and an educational institute in poll campaigning material.
"The Committee (Media Certification Appellate Committee), after due consideration, is of opinion that the purported audio-visual advertisement had erred on both counts of using an educational institution for the purpose of campaigning as well as using children below 14 years for use of political campaign in contravention of legal provision," a letter to BJP from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, said.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien had complained before the poll watchdog that a 30-second TV ad 'Sunyo' violates the model code of conduct and provisions entailed in the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.
After examining the complaint, the committee which is chaired by CEO Sunil Gupta unanimously decided to direct BJP to withdraw the ad from all kinds of media with immediate effect.
