The media plays a critical role in the functioning of every democracy and a democratic election and it would never be possible without the media and moreover it terribly plays a vital role in current events. Awareness of assorted problems in any society is especially noteworthy impact on the public, and manner of thinking that  the media is that the means  through which  popular opinion is formed and now then change if this can be the media’s role in the traditional course of event  then it can even additional very important  to exceptional period one among that is ELECTION once the media become the primary player ,election represent a basic challenge to the media is the basic rule to enlighten educate the general public and act as a natural objective platform for the free discussion of all points regarding election.

THE ROLES PLAYED BY MEDIA DURING ELECTIONS

The media’s functions throughout elections season is generally narrowed down to its watchdog role. The media has associate degree inherent responsibility to coach voters on the way to exercise their democratic rights, to report properly on the developments close the election campaigns of various political parties. The media should guarantee equal illustration of political parties and their candidates to speak their message to the general public or interact in debates with their counterparts. It should conjointly give the platform for the final public to be able to communicate their considerations, opinions, wants and views to the political parties/candidates, electoral management and also the government.

In order to satisfy their roles, the media have to be compelled to maintain a high level of expertise, accuracy and tendency in their coverage. regulative frameworks will facilitate guarantee high standards. Laws and regulation ought to guarantee elementary freedoms essential to democracy, as well as freedom of knowledge and expression, further as participation. Meanwhile, provisions like requiring government media, funded out of public cash, to present truthful coverage and just access to opposition parties, facilitate guarantee acceptable media behavior throughout elections.

MEDIA AS WATCHDOG: –

In today’s politics and society at massive, media is crucial to the safeguarding transparency of democratic processes. It is often known as its ‘watchdog’ role. Transparency is needed on several levels as well as for access to information; accountability and legitimacy of people, establishments and processes themselves; and for rightful participation and disputation.

MEDIA AS A CAMPAIGN PLATFORM: –

Candidates and Parties have an exact right to produce the citizen information concerning their attributes, political agendas, and planned plans. Besides meeting directly with members of the citizens, candidates and parties accomplish this task through media. it’s preponderating to democratic electoral processes so, that each one candidates and parties’ area unit provided equal access to media for this endeavor.

Candidates and parties use the mass media for political campaign through sponsored direct access spots, paid political advertising, televised debates, use of social media, and alternative mechanism

REPRESENTATION PEOPLE ACT-1951

The Representation of the People Act, 1951 is an act of Parliament of India to provide for the conduct of election of the Houses of Parliament and to the House or Houses of the Legislature of each State, the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of those Houses, the corrupt practices and other offences at or in connection with such elections and the decision of doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with such elections.

PROVISIONS OF SECTION 126A OF THE REPRESENTATION

                           OF  PEOPLE ACT,1951

Section 126A of REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE ACT,1951

No person shall—

(a) convene, hold, attend, be a part of or address any public meeting or procession in reference to an election; or

(b) display to the general public any election matter by suggests that of cinematograph, television or alternative similar apparatus; or

(c) propagate any election matter the general public by holding, or by arrangement the holding of, any concert with a view to attracting the members of the general public, in any polling area during the amount of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area

       VIOLATIONS REGARDING ELECTION BY ELECTION

                            COMMISION OF INDIA

*Election Commission of India has issued an advisory notice to all the media restricting themselves from telecasting/publishing programmes which in any way predict the results of the Elections during the prohibited period which is mentioned under section 126A of the REPRESENTATION PEOPLE ACT,1951. This restriction is done to ensure free, fair and transparent Elections. The main aim is to not to have any disputes regarding the same.

*Election Commission of India is of view that forecast of results of election in any form or manner by way of predictions etc. by Political Analysts or by person during the prohibited period is violation of the spirit of Section 126A of the REPRESENTAITION PEOPLE ACT,1951 which aims to prevent the electors of the constituencies still going to polls from being influenced in their voting by such predictions about the prospects of the various political parties.

*In view of all the above mentioned points by ELECTION COMMISION OF INDIA, all the media including Electronic and Press are hereby advised not to publish or publicize any such article or programmes related to the dissemination of results during the prohibited period i.e. 48 hours in the GENERAL ELECTION. The main aim was to ensure fair and free elections.

SPECIFIC RULES SET OUT BY LAWS

The intention of these rules is to ensure none of the political parties or candidates get an unfair advantage through partial reporting amount of screen time. They are also designed to “help secure the integrity of the democratic process”. Its main aim is to provide free and fair election and to have any disputes in future regarding the election.

CONCLUSION

Media is a platform where we come to know about different news, articles, journals etc. Media provide us easy access about everything. Society is affected by media in so many ways. It is the media for the people that helps them to get information about a lot of things and also to form opinions regarding various issues. Media has given political parties the tools to achieve giant numbers of individuals and might inform them on key problems starting from policies to elections. In theory, media ought to be seen as an enabler for democracy, having better-educated voters would result in a lot of legitimate government.

     Media coverage during the period referred to section 126A of Representation People Act is to ensure fair, free and transparent election by giving the notice to media, that restricting themselves from telecasting/publishing programmes which in any way predict the results of the Elections. All the media including Electronic and Press are hereby advised not to publish or publicize any such article or programmes related to the dissemination of results during the prohibited period i.e. 48 hours in the GENERAL ELECTION.

All these laws which are made by ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA are fair enough for the candidates to elect their election by fair and transparent means. Their main motive is that candidates must not have any disputes during the elections. Election Commission of India must make new mechanism and code of conduct to have fair Elections.