#StateAssemblyElections: EC doubles telecast time for political parties in 4 poll-bound states, UT
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New Delhi, March 10: Ahead of the state assembly elections, Election Commission has double the broadcast time allotted to each recognized Party on Doordarshan and All India Radio in the 5 states. These 5 states include Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
According to the release the Commission took the decision in consultation with Prasar Bharti Corporation considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced relevance of the non-contact-based campaign.
In its notification, ECI said, Considering the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and enhanced relevance of non-contact based campaign, Election Commission of India, in consultation with Prasar Bharti Corporation has decided to double the broadcast/telecast time allotted to each national party and recognized state party of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on Doordarshan and All India Radio during the ongoing General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, 2021."
The ECI further added that the broadcast time will be available only to the National Parties and recognised State Parties. A base time of 90 minutes will be given to the political parties uniformly on the regional Kendras of Doordarshan and All India Radio networks. However, in a single session of broadcast, no party will be allocated more than 30 minutes.
"A base time of 90 minutes will be given to each national party and recognized state party of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal uniformly on the regional kendras of Doordarshan network and All India Radio network in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal respectively." it stated.
As per the notice, the period of broadcast and telecast will be between the date of publication of the list of contesting candidates for the elections and two days before the date of polls. ECI has also made it clear that the telecasts and broadcasts will not permit criticism of other countries, attack on religions or communities, and anything obscene or defamatory or incitement of violence.
The additional time will be allotted to the party has been decided based on the poll performance of the party in the last assembly election of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, 2016 respectively.
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