New Delhi, April 6 -- The Election Commission of India has reinforced strict guidelines on political advertising in print media for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections and bye-elections, mandating pre-certification of all such advertisements during the critical pre-poll period and on polling day.
The directive follows the Commission's announcement on March 15 of election schedules for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with by-elections in six states.
As part of efforts to ensure a level playing field, the Commission has made it clear that "no political party, candidate, organisation or individual shall publish any advertisement in print media on the poll day and one day prior, unless it is pre-certified by the...