6. announcement of programmes and
policies by political parties
Answers
Explanation:
themselves with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the rules
issued there under. Strict adherence to the legal provisions must be ensured.
2.1 AIR and Doordarshan should, in close coordination with the Election Commission and
Chief Electoral Officers, arrange programmes and broadcasts with a view to:
a) Explaining to the voters their rights and duties in connection with the election;
b) Urging every voter to exercise his/her democratic right to vote;
c) Help create a climate of opinion in which free, fair and peaceful elections are
possible;
d) Assuring the weaker sections of society and minorities of the steps taken for their
protection during and after the elections;
e) Informing the voters about procedural matters and arrangements that are being made
for the conduct of the elections;
f) Explaining the arrangements made to ensure that there is no intimidation of voters or
coercion during and after the election and complete secrecy of voting is maintained.
2.2 For this purpose, AIR and Doordarshan should arrange broadcasts, in the general
programmes as well as special audience programmes; by the Chief Election
Commissioner, Chief Electoral Officers and prominent non- political personalities.
2.3 The text of these broadcasts might be released to the local Press through the Information
Department of the State Government and the Regional Information Office of the Press
Information Bureau and also utilized as part of the comparing material in special
audience programmes.
COVERAGE OF NEWS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1. AIR and Doordarshan should treat all election news factually, objectively and
impartially.
2. TALKS AND BROADCASTS
i) Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, political leaders, election candidates or their
agents, and persons who are closely identified with political parties, even though
they may not be holding any office in a party organization, should not be invited
by AIR and Doordarshan to broadcast on any subject that is related to elections.
ii) ‘Spotlight’, ‘Current Affairs’, ‘Newsreel’ and the corresponding programmes in
Hindi and other languages will continue to deal with topical issue