Advertisements through Television and Radio 48 Hours before Elections

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Advertisements or sponsored programmes or reports which support or criticize a candidate with an intention to influence the election cannot be broadcasted on the television or the radio. If general events relating to a political party are broadcasted which does not influence the public in any manner then it can be broadcasted via TV or the radio.¹

For example, if the television broadcasts a political leader insulting another candidate, then, such content will be taken down by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC).

Live Coverage on Electronic Media Outside Constituency

Due to the advancement in technology and development of different modes of electronic media, it is difficult to monitor all regions of a particular State conducting polls. At times, there might be a political event being conducted outside the constituency going to poll, which is being covered live on electronic media. In such situations, the live coverage will not be illegal if it only covers general discussion and not those relating to the specific constituency or specific candidate about to go to poll (in the 48 hour period).²

If any such live coverage on electronic media does take place, the candidate or party leader conducting the event will get the same punishment as they would have, had the event taken place within the constituency itself, i.e. jail time of 2 years and/or fine.

Section 126(1)(b),The Representation Of The People Act, 1951. [↩]
Subheading 8.3, Chapter 8, Manual for Model Code of Conduct. [↩]

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