Jammu: To make its stand clear on the Supreme Court (SC) directive over electronic media advertisements by political parties, the Election Commission (EC) today (Apr 3, 2004) said the full Commission would meet in Delhi later in the day.

"We will hold a full commission meeting in Delhi today to deliberate on the directive of the Supreme Court asking EC to monitor the telecast of advertisements by political parties on TV channels," Election Commissioner B B Tandon said.

A decision to this effect would be taken at the meeting, he said, adding an affidavit would be filed in the SC on Monday (Apr 5, 2004) in which "we will clear our stand over the issue".

The apex court yesterday (Apr 2, 2004) banned all political ads by TV channels and cable operators which offended public morality, decency and religious susceptibility. The SC had also directed EC to monitor broadcast of such ads by TV and cable networks.

To a question on slashing of telephone rates by BSNL, Tandon said, "It is under our consideration and we will soon take a view on it."

"Whether BSNL has taken such a step for commercial or any other purpose is to be ascertained," he said.

He said that it is for the first time that candidates in the Lok Sabha polls have been asked to file an affidavit about their character and criminal background, if any.

The returning officers have been asked to publicise the property statements of the candidates, besides the affidavit on character and criminal background, he added.