- The Election Commission of India has implemented a fully online method for allocating airtime to political parties on Akashvani and Doordarshan for campaigning.
- The new approach replaces the conventional technique of collecting physical vouchers with an online platform that gives digital time tokens.
Airtime Vouchers for Campaigning
- The Control of These Vouchers
- Examining Party Transcripts: Party transcripts are examined to ensure compliance with applicable codes. Content that criticises foreign countries, assaults religions or communities, incites violence, or engages in personal attacks is prohibited under these guidelines.
- Apex Committee’s Role: Disagreements on approved content are forwarded to an Apex Committee comprised of Akashvani and DD members. The decision of the committee is final.
The Control of These Vouchers
- Examining Party Transcripts: Party transcripts are examined to ensure compliance with applicable codes. Content that criticises foreign countries, assaults religions or communities, incites violence, or engages in personal attacks is prohibited under these guidelines.
- Apex Committee’s Role: Disagreements on approved content are forwarded to an Apex Committee comprised of Akashvani and DD members. The decision of the committee is final.
Importance of Process Improvement for Digital Vouchers:
- The decision underscores the organization’s dedication to using technology to improve the voting process and make it more convenient for all stakeholders.
- Physical Collection: During elections, political parties will no longer be required to send representatives to the commission’s offices to collect time vouchers.
Operational Difficulties
- Limited Access: Because the system is only available to national and recognised State parties, it raises questions regarding its genuine equality.
- Conflict of Interest in the Apex Committee: The Apex Committee is made up of Akashvani and DD executives, which raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
- When disagreements with political parties regarding transcript content develop, these officials are expected to review their own choices.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ec-to-issue-air-time-vouchers-online-for-campaign-through-public-broadcasters/articleshow/101867983.cms