ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Tuesday directed private satellite TV channels to immediately stop election campaigns or propagation of political parties and candidates on their respective channels.
According to a press release, Pemra has asked TV channels to stop airing the opinion polls or surveys, either conducted by channels or independent sources, as such content “might influence voters as well as the electoral process”.
The repeat telecast in the garb of reporting of political gatherings, public addresses of political party’s leadership, statements/ comments by any political leader or party representative in any talk show or road show should also be stopped.
It said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has conveyed its serious concerns on telecasting recorded footages of public gatherings/address of political parties and candidates by private satellite TV channels after the conclusion of the election campaign on July 23.
Moreover, all satellite TV channels and FM radio licenses have been asked to provide specific information with regard to the significance of the elections, vote, electoral process and security.