Dharapuram byelection: Media certification, monitoring panel’s nod must for political advertisements

Candidates for the Dharapuram (SC) Assembly Constituency byelection – 2026 were on Wednesday instructed to secure mandatory approval of the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC), functioning out of the District Public Relations in the Tiruppur Collectorate, before publishing or broadcasting political advertisements through electronic and social media platforms.

District Election Officer and Collector Manish Narnaware said approval of MCMC was necessary for election-related advertisements issued by political parties and candidates through television channels, local cable TV networks, FM radio stations, social media platforms, websites, cinema theatres, digital display screens in public places, for sending bulk SMS and undertaking voice call campaigns.

While recognised political parties must submit their applications at least three days before the proposed date of publication or telecast, independent candidates and other organisations have to apply at least seven days in advance.