Media Coverage during the period referred to in Section 126A of RP Act, 1951 – violations

Attention of all media is invited to the Commission’s letter no. 491/Media Policy/2017 – Communication dated 30th March, 2017 (enclosed) by which the Commission had issued an advisory to all the media (electronic and Print) to refrain from telecasting/publishing programmes which in any way whatsoever predict the results of the elections during the prohibited period under 126A to ensure free, fair and transparent election.

The Commission is of the view that prediction of results of elections in any form or manner by way of predictions etc. by Astrologers, Tarot Readers, Political Analysts or by any persons during the prohibited period is violation of the spirit of Section 126A which aims to prevent the electors of constituencies still going to polls from being influenced in their voting by such predictions about the prospects of the various political parties.

In view of the above, all the media (Electronic and Print) are hereby advised not to publish/publicize any such article/programme related to the dissemination of results, during the prohibited period between 7.00 AM on 30.11.2019 (Saturday) and 5.30 PM on 20.12.2019 (Friday) in the current General Election to the State Legislative Assembly of Jharkhand, 2019.