Overview of ECI’s Broadcast Time Allotment
The Election Commission of India (ECI), under Section 39A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has issued directives for the equitable allotment of free broadcast and telecast time to recognized National and State political parties. This facility is provided on Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) specifically for the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly General Elections.
To streamline the process, ECI has introduced Digital Time Vouchers distributed via a secure IT platform. These vouchers enable parties to access their allocated airtime efficiently.
Scheduling and Broadcast Guidelines
Phase-Wise Broadcast Windows
- The broadcast and telecast period for each phase is set to commence from the date of publication of the list of contesting candidates.
- It concludes two days before the polling date in that phase.
- Actual slots are determined in advance through a transparent draw of lots, conducted in the presence of:
- Authorized representatives from the political parties.
- Officials from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Bihar office.
Base and Additional Time Allocation
Under the scheme:
- A base time of 45 minutes is uniformly allotted to each eligible party on both Doordarshan and AIR regional networks within Bihar.
- Additional time is granted based on the parties’ performance in the previous Bihar Assembly Elections, ensuring proportionality and fairness.
Content Submission and Technical Requirements
Political parties must:
- Submit transcripts and recordings well in advance.
- Strictly adhere to ECI and Prasar Bharati guidelines to maintain neutrality and compliance.
- Produce recordings in studios that meet Prasar Bharati’s technical standards, or utilize facilities at Doordarshan/AIR Kendras.
This pre-submission process helps prevent last-minute issues and ensures high-quality broadcasts.
Panel Discussions and Debates
In addition to individual party broadcasts, Prasar Bharati Corporation will facilitate:
- Up to two panel discussions and/or debates on Doordarshan and AIR.
- Each eligible party can nominate one representative to participate.
- Programs will be moderated by an ECI-approved coordinator to uphold impartiality and decorum.
These interactive formats aim to foster informed voter discourse and multi-party engagement.
This initiative by ECI promotes equal opportunities for political parties, enhances voter awareness, and upholds the principles of free and fair elections in Bihar.