Election Integrity Boost: EC Bans Last-Minute Print Ads for Bihar Assembly Elections 2025

In a decisive move to fortify the integrity of the electoral process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a stringent new directive for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. Political parties and candidates will now be barred from publishing any advertisements in print media on the day of polling and the day immediately preceding it.

This significant restriction is designed to prevent the last-minute dissemination of potentially misleading or unverified information that could unduly influence voters, leaving no adequate time for opposing parties to issue a rebuttal or clarification.

The ECI's mandate underscores its unwavering commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all contenders.

The directive stipulates that all political advertisements intended for print media must undergo a mandatory pre-certification process. This crucial step will be handled by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC), operating at both the state and district levels.

To facilitate this pre-certification, specific timelines have been established.

Applications for state-level advertisements must be submitted to the MCMC at least three days prior to the proposed date of publication. For advertisements targeting specific districts, the application window is slightly shorter, requiring submission at least two days before publication. These deadlines are crucial to allow the MCMC sufficient time to review and approve content, ensuring it adheres to electoral guidelines and does not violate any codes of conduct.

This proactive measure is not without precedent.

The ECI successfully implemented a similar restriction during the recent General Elections 2024, which proved effective in curbing sensationalism and misinformation during critical phases of the election cycle. By extending this successful model to the Bihar Assembly Elections, the Commission aims to create an environment where voters can make informed decisions free from eleventh-hour manipulation.

The Election Commission has issued a clear warning regarding non-compliance: any violations of this directive will be met with swift and strict action.

This firm stance reiterates the ECI's resolve to safeguard the sanctity of the democratic process and ensure that the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 are conducted with utmost fairness and transparency.