EC committee seeks more time to submit report on poll code

NEWDELHI: A 14-member committee set up by the Election Commission (EC) in January to examine and suggest changes to Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act) has been given more time to file its report. Section 126 bars election campaigning in the last 48 hours before voting.

The committee, which had been expected to submit its report by April, has sought time to file it by June 30, EC officials said on Tuesday.

Officials aware of the development said the committee has so far had two rounds of meetings — in February and May — and is awaiting responses from political parties.

“The commission has also sought feedback from social media companies and parties and a report will be submitted once we hear from them,” one of the officials cited above said on condition of anonymity.

The committee, headed by deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha, was announced in December after the EC took cognisance of parties violating provisions of Section 126.

It also had the mandate to examine how media platforms could be regulated during the 48 hours before voting in a multiphase election.

The committee, with members from EC and officials representing the ministries of information and technology, law and information and broadcasting, the Press Council of India and the National Broadcasters Association, was formally constituted in January.