nThe Election Commission (EC) has asked star campaigners and other leaders of all political parties to not give any interviews to media on election matters during the beginning of "silence period," from Friday evening for the last phase of Lok Sabha polls or 48 hours before the start of polling when campaigning comes to an end.
"During the silence period, star campaigners and other political leaders should refrain from addressing the media by way of Press conferences and giving interviews on election matters," the poll panel said in an advisory.
"In a multi-phased election, the silence period of last 48 hours may be on in certain constituencies while campaign is ongoing in other constituencies. In such event, there should not be any direct or indirect reference amounting to soliciting support for parties or candidates in the constituencies observing the silence period," it said.
The poll panel underlined that Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, "inter-alia prohibits election campaign activities through public meetings, processions etc, and displaying of election matter by means of television and similar apparatus". The EC has advised that campaigners should not make any reference to a constituency where the silence period is being observed.
The EC has also changed rules not allowing any political party to release manifesto in last 48 hours of the start of polling period. Amending the Model Code of Conduct, EC barred political parties from releasing their manifestos in the last 48 hours leading up to voting in each phase of the coming Lok Sabha elections.
The statement came in reference to queries received by the poll body on telecasting interview of star campaigners during the silence period. During the Gujarat Assembly elections in 2017, controversy erupted after Congress president Rahul Gandhi gave interviews to some regional TV channels a day ahead of the polling. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also organised a road show just a day before polling.