Any candidate or political party may get a notice from Election Commission of India and may even have to go to jail for two years or fine or both, if, advertisements is aired or published in during 48 hours before the end of polling for State Assembly election 2018.
With filing of nomination process began for first phase of election, directives for electronic media has been issued by Election Commission of India for Chhattisgarh.
The directive states that 48 hours before the end of polling, the electronic media like television, radio, cinema or any other electronic media will not carry any type of advertisements as blanket ban has been imposed.
Under Representation of People Act-1951 section-126, the candidate or any political party, would not issue any type of advertisement which can have impact on voters, through electronic media.
Under which in television, any type of survey which can influence the voters regarding any candidate or political party, in favour or against, should not be aired. It includes the analysis by any expert, participants by expressing his opinion or thoughts will affect the voters, including appeal, discussion, visual or voice. If any such airing falls under the rule, then it would be considered as the violation of Act. If violation is found, then under the Act, punishment for two years imprisonment or fine or both can be imposed.
Additional to it, before the specified 48 hours, candidate or political party can publish the advertisement after due certification from the district and state level constituted media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC).
ECI would be monitoring all media till election results are declared. The action would be taken under the rules of News Broadcasting Standard Authority (NBSA) after the complaints are received.
Additional to it, for print media also based on the Press Council of India guidelines, the directives have been issued. The reporting has to be impartial reporting on election and candidates, no drive to be held on communal and caste based grounds, critical comment on character of any individual candidate or behaviour, publication of allegations against candidates or political parties without verification among others.