EC doubles broadcast time for political parties in poll-bound states

The Election Commission on Tuesday (March 9) decided to double the broadcast and telecast time allotted to each national parties as well as recognised state parties on DD and AIR in the poll-bound states.
 

The Commission took this decision considering the COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced relevance of non-contact based campaign.

The Commission said, “Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced relevance of non-contact based campaign, Election Commission of India, in consultation with Prasar Bharati Corporation has decided to double the broadcast or telecast time allotted to each national party and recognised state party of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on Doordarshan and All India Radio" for the assembly polls.”
 

The additional time to be allotted to the political parties has been decided on the basis of the poll performance of the party in the last assembly elections. 

Issuing a statement, the EC said that a base time of 90 minutes will be given to each national party and recognised state party of the poll-bound states.

Assembly elections will be held in three phases in Assam on March 27, April 1 and April 6; and in eight phases in West Bengal on March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29.