The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Tuesday, rolled out strict guidelines ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, including by-elections for eight constituencies. The stringent rules are aimed at focusing on tighter control over political advertisements in print media.
It should be mentioned here that polling will be conducted in two phases -- Phase I on November 6, covering 121 constituencies and Phase II on November 11, the poll body announced last month.
The ECI, in a bid to ensure a fair electoral process, has barred political parties, candidates, and organisations from publishing print advertisements on the poll day and the day prior unless pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) at the state or district level.
"In order to ensure a fair campaign environment, no Political Party, candidate, organization or person shall publish any advertisement in the print media on the poll day and one day prior to the poll day, unless the contents are pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) at the State/District level," the EC notes in its statement.
The restricted dates for Bihar are November 5-6 for Phase I and November 10-11 for Phase II.
Political entities must submit advertisements at least two days before publication to secure pre-certification. The MCMC has been fully activated across the state and districts to expedite the review process.
"Applicants seeking pre-certification for political advertisements in print media must apply to the MCMC not later than two days prior to the proposed date of publication of the advertisement," further mentions the poll body.
The announcement comes as the filing of nomination papers for the second phase concluded, revealing a fractured opposition INDIA bloc, with constituent parties contesting against each other in several seats.
For Phase I, a total of 1,314 candidates remain in the fray after the withdrawal of 61 nominations and rejection of over 300 during scrutiny.
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