EC bars parties from releasing manifestos in last 48 hours before polling

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Saturday revised the model code of conduct to restrain political parties from releasing their manifesto during 48 hours prior to conclusion of poll in a single-phase election. In a multi-phase exercise like the current Lok Sabha election, parties will need to refrain from putting out their manifestos during 48 hours ahead of the end of polling for every phase.

The poll panel, in a letter, addressed to the heads of all recognised national and state parties, said it was adding a new para to the model code with two sub-paras. As per the 1st sub-para, manifesto shall not be released during the prohibitory period, as prescribed under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act (48 hours prior to end of poll) in a single-phase poll. Sub-para 2 dealing with multi-phase elections said parties shall refrain from releasing manifesto during 48-hour prohibitory period for all the phases.

The Commission said the aforesaid provisions on manifesto release would be part of model code applicable to all future elections.

Earlier this year, a committee set up by EC to review Section 126 of Representation of the People Act, had recommended changes to the model code to restrain parties from releasing manifesto during 72 hours before conclusion of poll in a single-phase poll and 72 hours prior to end of poll in each phase in a multi-phase election. However, some political parties including the Congress opposed the 72-hour ban proposal when EC sought their views on the same.

Sources in the Commission said while telecast of a party's manifesto release by electronic media during silence period is banned as per Section 126 of R P Act, there were occasions when some parties chose to release manifesto on the polling day, though at a place other than the constituencies going to polls. For instance, BJP had in 2014 Lok Sabha poll released manifesto during polling for the first phase covering Assam and Tripura.

Also, there was also the possibility of a regional party releasing its manifesto and having it telecast on a channel in another
state, but which could be viewed in the party's home state while polling there was in progress.

"With the 48-hour restraint on manifesto release now part of the model code, the ambiguity in the law is taken care of. The ban on publicising manifesto release shall now cover both electronic and print media," said an EC official.