Kerala Election Commission Restricts Candidate Media Interactions Until Polling Ends
Kerala Election 2026: Candidates Not Allowed To Interact With Media Till End Of Polling, Says CEO
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In preparation for the upcoming elections on April 9, candidates in Kerala are prohibited from interacting with the media until polling concludes. Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar clarified that this ban applies to all forms of media communication, citing the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- 01Candidates cannot interact with media until polling ends on April 9.
- 02Clarifications regarding media interactions can be sought in writing from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- 03The ban includes all election-related messages conveyed through media.
- 04This restriction aligns with Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- 05Press conferences are also included in the media interaction ban.
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As Kerala prepares for elections on April 9, Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar announced that candidates will not be allowed to interact with the media until polling concludes. This decision is aimed at maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. Candidates can seek written clarification from the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding any doubts about media interactions. Kelkar emphasized that the prohibition extends beyond public meetings and processions, encompassing all election-related messages conveyed through media. He referenced Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which restricts public meetings and displays of election material during the 48 hours leading up to the election. The ECI's instructions indicate that press conferences also fall under this media interaction ban.
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This restriction affects how candidates communicate with voters and the media, potentially limiting voter engagement and information dissemination during the critical polling period.
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