EC fixes time slot for publicity on Doordarshan, Akashwani

Lucknow, Mar 21 (UNI) The Election Commission today fixed the time slot for recognised national and state level political parties for their publicity on Doordarshan and Akashwani from April 2 for the seven phase Uttar Pradesh assembly election.

State chief electoral officer (CEO) Anuj Kumar Bishnoi here said eight national and state parties -- Congress, BJP, BSP, NCP, CPI, CPI(M), SP and RLD -- would be given 5-10 minutues for speeches.

''The time will be alloted to the parties based on votes polled in the 2002 assembly poll,'' he said adding each party will be given time for each phases separately.

For Doordarshan, the timings of political party speeches will be from 1700 to 1900 hours, while in Akashwani, it will be from 1815 to 1915 hrs.

Mr Bishnoi said the script of the speeches would be examined by a committee first and it will be recorded prior to its telecast.

Meanwhile, Deputy Election Commission R Bhattacharya will be holding a meeting with the officials of districts, where election is scheduled in the fifth phase.

Mr Bhattacharya will hold this meeting at Allahabad to review the preparation of the elections for the fifth phase.

UNI