The Election Commission of India has directed the allotment of broadcast and telecast time to National and State recognised political parties on Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) in the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar, 2025. Digital Time Vouchers have been issued to all National and State Political Parties in Bihar through an IT platform. The broadcast/telecast period will be scheduled between the date of publication of the list of contesting candidates in each phase and two days before the date of poll in Bihar. The actual broadcast/telecast will be scheduled in advance through a draw of lots. A base time of 45 minutes has been allotted for free broadcasting and telecasting on both Doordarshan and All India Radio. Additional time has been allotted to political parties based on their poll performance in the last Assembly Election of Bihar. Political parties are required to submit transcripts and recordings in advance, recordings may be made in studios meeting the technical standards prescribed by Prasar Bharati or at Doordarshan/AIR Kendras. Prasar Bharati Corporation will organize up to two panel discussions and/or debates on Doordarshan and All India Radio for Bihar, each party may nominate one representative for the programme which will be moderated by an approved coordinator. The press release was published on 16 OCT 2025 10:21 AM, release ID: 2179720.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India: The primary regulator issuing directions for broadcast/telecast time allotment.
Representation of the People Act, 1951, Section 39A: Legal basis for the Election Commission's directives regarding broadcast/telecast allotment.
Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR): The broadcasting platforms on which free telecast time is being allotted.
Bihar: State where the described regulations apply, specifically for the Legislative Assembly elections.
Prasar Bharati: Organization responsible for technical standards of recordings and panel discussions.
Election Commission
ECI allots digital vouchers to National and State
Parties for free broadcast/telecast time on
Doordarshan and All India Radio
Posted On: 16 OCT 2025 10:21AM by PIB Delhi
1. The Election Commission of India under Section 39A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,
has issued directions for allotment of broadcast and telecast time to National and State recognized
political parties on Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) in the General Election to the Legislative
Assembly of Bihar, 2025.
2. Digital Time Vouchers through an IT platform, have been issued to all National and State Political
Parties in Bihar for the Legislative Assembly elections.
3. The broadcast/telecast period will be scheduled between the date of publication of the list of contesting
candidates in each phase and two days before the date of poll in Bihar. The actual broadcast/telecast will
be scheduled in advance through a draw of lots in the presence of authorized representatives of the
parties and officials from the office of CEO Bihar.
4. Under the scheme, free broadcasting and telecasting facilities of a base time of 45 minutes has been
allotted on both Doordarshan and All India Radio, for each party to be uniformly provided on the
regional network within the State.
5. Additional time has been allotted to political parties based on their poll performance in the last
Assembly Election of Bihar.
6. Political parties are required to submit transcripts and recordings in advance, strictly adhering to the
relevant guidelines. Recordings may be made in studios meeting the technical standards prescribed by
Prasar Bharati or at Doordarshan/AIR Kendras.
7. In addition to party broadcasts, Prasar Bharati Corporation will organize up to two panel discussions
and/or debates on Doordarshan and All India Radio for Bihar. Each eligible party may nominate one
representative for the programme which will be moderated by an approved coordinator.
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PK/GDH/RP
(Release ID: 2179720)