EC order gags media on poll eve coverage

THE Election Commission said on Tuesday that the electronic media cannot telecast anything related to elections which can influence voters in areas where polls are to take place, 48 hours preceding voting.

The Election Commissioner said, TV channels were barred from telecasting poll-related programmes like interviews, discussions and poll analyses and surveys that could influence voters 48-hour before polling day.

In a separate order issued under section 126 of the Representation of People's Act that prohibits displaying any election matter on television or any related medium 48 hours before poll, EC has also banned dissemination of results of opinion and exit polls by the media. The gag on electronic media is seen as unsuitable for multi-phase elections as well as innocent of the ways the media functions.

The official said, "the rule applies even to national channels. During this period, national channels are not allowed to telecast such programmes about Andhra Pradesh. Even animation programmes that could influence voters should not be screened."

Mr Rao explained that with the first phase polling scheduled for April 16, TV channels would not even be allowed to air poll-related analyses of seats going to the polls on April 23. Failure to comply would mean imprisonment up to two years or fine or both.