MEDIA POLICY

Facilities to be provided to media persons for Coverage of Process of elections.

-------------------------------------------ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

------------------------------------------------------------------------Nirvachan Sadan Ashoka Road,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------New Delhi-110001

------------------------------------------------ORDER

No. 491/96/MCS -------------------------------------------------------Dated the 27 March, 1996

Subject: Facilities to be provided to media persons for coverage of process of election.

In partial modification of commission's order of even no. dated 14.12.94 the following order is issued.

I. Elections are an important event of mass participation in public affairs and the Election Commission attaches the greatest importance to the Conduct of elections with as much transparency as practicable. The following guidelines for media coverage of elections have been framed to make this possible and to provide every reasonable facility to the media to provide adequate and effective coverage of the election process however without impinging adversely on the rules for the elections and the rights of the electorate.

Issue of Authority Letters

1. Rule 32 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which regulates the entry into polling stations is reproduced below for facility of ready reference:-

"32. Admission to polling stations - The Presiding Officer shall regulate the number of electors, to be admitted at any one time inside the polling station and shall exclude therefrom all persons other than:-

(a) Polling officers;

(b) Public Servants on duty in connection with election;

(c) Persons authorised by the Election Commission;

(d) Candidates, their election agents and subject to the provisions of rule 13, one polling agent of each candidate;

(e) A child in arms accompanying an elector.

(f) A persons accompanying a blind or infirm elector who cannot move without help; and

(g) Such other persons as the Returning Officer or the Presiding Officer may employ under Sub-rule (2) of Rule 34 of Sub-Rule 35."

2. Entry to any place fixed for counting of votes is governed by the provisions of rule 53(1) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which is reproduced below:-

"53. Admission to the place fixed for counting - The Returning Officer shall exclude from the place fixed for counting of votes all persons except:-

(a) Such persons (to be known as counting Supervisors and counting assistants) as he may appoint to assist him in the counting;

(b) persons authorised by the Election Commission;

(c) Public servants on duty in connection with the election; and

(d) candidates, their election agents and counting agents.



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