Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The Chief Electoral Officer of Haryana, A. Shrinivas, announced on Monday, April 20, 2026, that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued comprehensive guidelines for media coverage during the ongoing General Assembly elections and various by-elections. These regulations, which apply to the high-stakes elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu, aim to balance transparent reporting with the absolute secrecy of the voting process. Under these rules, only authorized journalists possessing official authority letters will be granted access to polling and counting stations.
To maintain order and security, authority letters will be issued by the Chief Electoral Officer through the State Information and Public Relations Department after a formal review of media houses. Shrinivas emphasized that any misuse of these credentials is strictly prohibited and could lead to immediate revocation. Crucially, while journalists are permitted to cover the proceedings, photography and video recording inside the actual voting compartments remain strictly forbidden to preserve the confidentiality of the ballot as mandated under the Election Rules of 1961.
In a move to facilitate the work of the press, the Election Commission has categorized authorized media personnel as providers of “essential services.” This designation allows eligible journalists to utilize the postal ballot facility through Postal Voting Centres (PVC), ensuring that those on active duty during polling days can still exercise their own right to vote. The CEO reiterated that the multi-layered verification process for media entry is essential to ensure a secure, transparent, and smooth conduct of the electoral exercise across all polling and counting venues.
Election Commission issues strict media guidelines for ongoing Assembly elections
