Karwar: Deputy Commissioner K Harishkumar said, as per Supreme Court orders any candidate contesting for Lok Sabha elections has to get their ‘ self-declared character certificate’ compulsorily publish in newspapers at least thrice before the end of open campaigning.

Chairing a meeting of leaders of various political parties, cable operators and printers at his office in Karwar recently, he said the candidate has to publish their self-declared character certificate in highest circulated print media and electronic media to ensure that they do not contempt the court orders. Else, the candidates will be forced to face legal action, he said.

He also said that the election commission has banned the use of plastic, so the candidates have to ensure that they do not use any publicity materials that are made out of plastic. The printers can not publish any propaganda materials without the publishers taking permission. The publicity materials should clearly have the name of the party, number of copies and address of the publishers. The candidates have to give expenditure details to the committee, he said.

Harishkumar said that Cable operators have to get permission three days in advance to broadcast any political advertisement. And the concerned committee will permission to the cable operators within 24 hours after submitting application.