ECI Issues Digital Time Vouchers for Free Political Broadcasts on Doordarshan Ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025

Political parties must submit their recordings ahead of time, following guidelines established by the Election Commission of India and Prasar Bharati.

As Bihar prepares for the upcoming 2025 Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has distributed digital time vouchers to National and State political parties for complimentary broadcasts on Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR).

This initiative is implemented under Section 39A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The ECI announced in a statement that digital time vouchers, issued through an information technology platform, will enable all recognized political parties in Bihar to utilize broadcast and telecast facilities.

"The broadcast/telecast period will be scheduled between the date of publication of the list of contesting candidates in each phase and two days before the date of poll in Bihar. The actual broadcast/telecast will be scheduled in advance through a draw of lots in the presence of authorized representatives of the parties and officials from the office of CEO Bihar," according to the ECI release.

Under this program, each political party will receive a standard allocation of 45 minutes on both Doordarshan and AIR, provided uniformly across the regional network within the state. Supplementary time will be allocated based on each party's performance in the previous Bihar Assembly elections.

Political parties are required to submit their transcripts and recordings in advance, strictly adhering to guidelines established by the ECI and Prasar Bharati. Recordings can be produced in studios that meet Prasar Bharati's technical standards or at Doordarshan/AIR Kendras.

In addition to individual party broadcasts, Prasar Bharati will organize up to two panel discussions or debates on Doordarshan and AIR for the Bihar elections. Each eligible party may nominate one representative to participate in these discussions, which will be moderated by an approved coordinator.

The voting for Bihar's 243-seat Assembly is scheduled to take place on November 6 and November 11, with vote counting set for November 14.