Election regulations prepared

Thimphu, November 02: The Election Commission is preparing regulations on election advertising and media coverage for the historic 2008 elections to ensure fair elections.

Commission has said, The Media Coverage of Election Rules and Regulations and the Election Advertising Regulations would bar media from promoting any single political party. The regulations were also discussed during the two-day seminar on Media and Democracy last week.

Media should refrain from publishing or broadcasting any material with objective of inciting hatred and communal division or promoting other, a commissioner told this reporter.
 
The regulations also bars media for any coverage on election campaigning 48 hours before polling starts.

He urged the media to be objective and careful because they would be supporting one or the other party indirectly. This may influence the voters. He added rules are drawn based on democratic principles practiced in other countries.

Similarly, Election Advertisement Regulations would regulate undue influence to the people through the excessive use of money.

Parties and candidates should stick to legislative provision from hanging banners to canvassing, and allocation of time and space.

The regulations covers all forms of media including electronic media like Internet, chat rooms, and short message service (SMS) with an objective to solicit votes, share information to reach out and convince voters about a party's manifestos, objectives, or its strength.

However, regulation bans any form of presumptive polls. Any agency or media fraternity conducting public opinion polls should refrain from releasing the results prior to the closure of the polls, according to the draft regulation. Bhutan News Service/Sangey Ondrey