ECI issues digital time vouchers for free party broadcasts on Doordarshan and AIR
On 23 March 2026 the Election Commission issued digital time vouchers to recognised National and State parties for free broadcast and telecast time on Doordarshan and All India Radio for the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Summary
Under Section 39A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission of India issued directions for allotment of broadcast and telecast time on Doordarshan and All India Radio to recognised National and State parties for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Digital time vouchers were issued through an IT platform on 23 March 2026. Each party gets a base time of 45 minutes on both Doordarshan and AIR on the regional network, with additional time based on performance in the previous Assembly election. Broadcasts run between publication of the list of contesting candidates and two days before polling; slots are fixed by draw of lots. Prasar Bharati will also hold up to two panel discussions or debates.
Key facts
- Legal basis
- Section 39A, Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Polls
- Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal – 2026
- Base time
- 45 minutes per party on both Doordarshan and AIR
- Extra time
- Based on performance in previous Assembly election
- Window
- From list of contesting candidates to two days before poll
- Mode
- Digital time vouchers via IT platform; slots by draw of lots
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under which provision does the Election Commission allot free broadcast and telecast time on Doordarshan and AIR to recognised parties?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Section 39A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
The ECI issued the directions under Section 39A of the RP Act, 1951, for the 2026 Assembly elections.
For the 2026 Assembly elections, what base broadcast time has the ECI allotted to each recognised party on both Doordarshan and All India Radio?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 45 minutes
Each party gets a base time of 45 minutes on both Doordarshan and AIR, plus extra time based on its previous Assembly poll performance.