EC allots time to parties for campaign on DD, AIR

Source: Deccan Herald | NEW DELHI

Date: Thursday 04 April 2013

The Election Commission (EC) has allotted broadcast and telecast times to recognised political parties, to enable them to conduct an election campaign on Doordarshan and All India Radio, for the Karnataka Assembly elections.

The Commission has decided to extend the equitable time-sharing scheme on electronic media through the Prasar Bharati Corporation. However, use of broadcast and telecast time will be available only to national parties and recognised State parties in the polls. Of the total 630 minutes, Congress got the maximum time of 166 minutes, the ruling BJP was granted 163 minutes in Karnataka each for broadcast and telecast, followed by JD-S with 111 minutes. Time allotted for others parties is: BSP (54 minutes), CPI-M (46 minutes), CPI and NCP (45 minutes each).

No time was allotted to the KJP, led by former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and the BSR Congress, led by former minister R Sriramulu — as both are not recognised.

The campaigning facility will be available from the regional centres of All India Radio and Doordarshan and at their Karnataka headquarters. The message will also be relayed by other stations within the State.

45 minutes only

The EC has said that a base time of 45 minutes will be given to each national and recognised State party, uniformly at the regional centres of Doordarshan and AIR networks in Karnataka.

Read more at http://www.deccanherald.com/content/323680/ec-allots-time-parties-campaign.html