"The committee has established that a video clip of a regional branch of the Rodina party is propaganda material that promotes ethnic discord and violates the provisions of Article 55 of the Moscow electoral code," Committee Chairman Valentine Gorbunov said.
The Rodina clip features several men from the Caucasus who toss a watermelon rind at the feet of a passing Slavic girl with a baby. Party leaders Dmitry Rogozin and Dmitry Popov then urge Muscovites "to clear rubbish from Moscow." The ad has been broadcasted on central Russian TV channel TVTs.
According to the committee, the commercial attracted sharp criticism from state officials and regular citizens.
The Moscow Prosecutor's Office is expected to issue a ruling on the Rodina video Friday. If the video is not banned, it will continue to be shown on TVTs until the end of the election campaign on December 2.
Committee members will present their evaluation during court hearings.
