Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 8 (UNI) In a move to ensure a fair and level playing field in the run-up to the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has prohibited star campaigners and political leaders from engaging with the media during the silence period.
According to a directive issued by Chief Electoral Officer Dr. Rathan U. Kelkar, IAS, the restriction is in line with the Commission’s press note dated March 15, 2026. It clearly states that during the silence period, star campaigners and other political leaders must refrain from addressing the media through press conferences, interviews, or any form of election-related communication.
The advisory, applicable to Kerala and other poll-bound states, is aimed at preventing undue influence on voters and ensuring strict adherence to election norms during the crucial final phase before polling.
All political parties and media organisations in the state have been instructed to comply fully with these guidelines to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
UNI DS ARN