New Delhi, 23 March (H.S.):

The Election Commission of India announced Monday free broadcast time on Doordarshan and All India Radio for recognized national and state parties contesting assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Digital time vouchers have been issued via an IT platform under Section 39A of the Representation of the People Act 1951. Slots will be drawn by lottery at state level from candidate list publication until two days before polling.

Each party gets a base 45 minutes free on both channels across regional networks. Extra time goes to parties based on prior assembly poll performance.

Parties must submit scripts and recordings in advance. Up to two panel discussions or debates will allow one representative per party on Doordarshan and AIR.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar