Bihar Election Commission Mandates Pre-Certification for Print Ads During 2025 Assembly Polls

For Bihar elections, the restricted advertisement days are November 5 and 6 for Phase I and November 10 and 11 for Phase II.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notification regarding pre-certification requirements for print advertisements ahead of the Bihar election, covering both the pre-poll period and polling day.

In an official statement, Deputy Director of the ECI, P Pawan, confirmed the schedule for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar, 2025, along with by-elections for eight Assembly constituencies. The polling dates have been established for November 6 and November 11.

The ECI emphasized that to maintain a fair campaign environment, political parties, candidates, organizations, and individuals are prohibited from publishing advertisements in print media on polling days and the day before unless the content receives pre-certification from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) at either the State or District level.

For Bihar's Phase I, the restricted advertising days will be November 5 and 6, while Phase II restrictions apply to November 10 and 11.

The ECI has instructed that those seeking pre-certification for political advertisements must submit applications to the MCMC no later than two days before the intended publication date. The Commission has activated MCMCs at both State and District levels to review submissions promptly and ensure timely decisions on certification requests.

Previously, on October 18, the ECI announced that employed voters would receive paid holidays on the two polling days for the Bihar Assembly elections. The Commission also warned employers of penalties if they deduct wages from employees who take leave to vote on November 6 and 11.

The Commission has directed state governments to issue necessary compliance instructions to ensure all eligible voters can exercise their democratic rights without hindrance.

The ECI has also scheduled by-elections for eight Assembly constituencies across seven states to be held on November 11.

P. Pawan further clarified that according to Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every eligible voter employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or other establishment is legally entitled to a paid holiday on the polling day to facilitate their participation in the electoral process.