MUMBAI: The scrutiny of NaMo TV has increased. According to a PTI report, the channel has been asked to not display any ‘election matter’ prior to poll days, as prescribed in the electoral law. 

This phase is called the ‘silence period’ for the voters to make up their mind and select a candidate of their choice without being influenced by any political campaigning.  Various reports also mentioned that EC had issued directives to the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) that NaMo TV will have to comply with the 48-hour ‘election silence’ ahead of every phase of voting. Also, the expenditure incurred on programmes and advertisements on NaMo TV should be identified appropriately and attributed to candidates or political parties.

The directions were issued to the Delhi CEO Ranbir Singh as he is the nodal officer to pre-certify political content in TV channels and similar platforms which are showcased nationally.

As per the latest development, the poll watchdog has now asked the CEO of Delhi to ensure that its directives are followed in each of the remaining six phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Last week, the Election Commission had concluded that since NaMo TV is sponsored by the BJP, all recorded programmes displayed on the platform should be pre-certified by the media certification and monitoring committee of Delhi and all political publicity contents being displayed without pre-certification should be removed immediately.