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EC bans election ads in electronic media, restrains opinion polls

The Election Commission today banned election-related advertisements on the electronic media -- including both state-owned and private, satellite and terrestrial -- by political parties, candidates or any other organisation.

In another order, the Commission also restrained the publication or dissemination of any opinion and exit polls after 1700 hours on September 3 till the conclusion of voting in all phases of the 13th Lok Sabha election on October 3.

In its first order relating to political advertisements on the electronic media, including television and radio, the Commission said it had taken into account the views of several party representatives that extensive advertisements on the electronic media can be afforded only by a few major parties.

This introduced 'serious distortions' in the electoral arena. In the process, in a poor country like India, democracy, would be totally displaced by money power.

The Commission said it had introduced in 1998 the scheme of time vouchers, which provided substantial time on Doordarshan and All India Radio to all recognised political parties. Through this initiative, extensive time was provided to recognised national and state parties on the public broadcasting system with the maximum reach in the country.

The Commission had decided during the 1998 general election not to allow advertisements by political parties, candidates or any other organisation in any form in the electronic media.

The Commission had gone into the issue in detail for this general election also and saw no reason to review the policy followed in the last general election, it said.

As for opinion and exit polls, the Commission decreed in a separate order that no result of any opinion poll conducted at any time shall be published, publicised or disseminated in any manner, in print or by the electronic media, after 1700 hours on September 3 (two days before the first phase of polling on September 5) and till the polling ends in all states and Union territories on 1700 hours on October 3.

The Commission also directed that organisations and agencies conducting opinion or exit polls must indicate the sample size of the electorate covered by such polls and the geographic spread of the survey.

The polls should also give details about the methodology followed, likely percentage of errors, the professional background and experience of the organisation and key professionals involved in the conduct and analysis of the poll.

The Commission clarified that the electronic media included radio and television, both government-owned and private, and satellite, terrestrial and cable channels.

'Dissemination' included publication in any newspaper, magazine or periodical or display on electronic media or circulation by pamphlet, poster, placard, handbill or any other document, it added.

The Commission said these guidelines would apply at all future elections to Parliament and state legislatures.

UNI

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