EC cracks down on last-minute campaigning, makes precCertification of print ads mandatory for 2026 polls

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has tightened its grip on political campaigning ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections and bye-elections, mandating compulsory pre-certification of all print advertisements during the crucial pre-poll window and on polling day.

The directive comes in the wake of the Commission’s March 15 announcement of election schedules for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states. Stressing the need for a level-playing field, the poll body stated that “no political party, candidate, organization or individual shall publish any advertisement in print media on the poll day and one day prior, unless it is pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC).”

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Election authorities said the move is designed to curb misinformation and ensure transparency in political messaging at a time when voters are most vulnerable to influence. “The objective is to ensure a fair campaign environment and prevent any unverified or misleading content from influencing voters at the last moment,” a senior official said.

As per the guidelines, individual candidates and applicants must seek clearance from District-level MCMCs, while recognized political parties based in states or Union Territories are required to obtain certification from State-level committees. Applications must be submitted at least two days in advance of the intended publication date.

To streamline the process, MCMCs across states and districts have been activated and instructed to process applications swiftly. “All committees have been directed to examine requests expeditiously so that legitimate campaign material is not held up,” the official added.

The enforcement of these rules will align strictly with polling schedules. For Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, which go to the polls on April 9, pre-certification will be required for advertisements published on April 8 and 9. Tamil Nadu’s April 23 polling will require certification for April 22 and 23, while West Bengal’s two-phase polling on April 23 and April 29 will see the same restrictions enforced on the respective preceding day and polling day.

Beyond advertisements, the Commission has also directed MCMCs to keep a “strict vigil” on suspected instances of paid news—content disguised as editorial coverage but effectively functioning as political promotion—and to take appropriate action where violations are detected.

The latest move highlights the Commission’s focus to tighten oversight of campaign practices, with officials reiterating that strict adherence to these norms is critical to safeguarding the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.