EC bars manifesto release 48 hours before vote day

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) here on Saturday barred political parties from releasing election manifestos in the last 48 hours of the voting day in the multi-phase Lok Sabha elections.

The directive has come weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, which would be held in seven phases in April and May.

The amended model code of conduct, released by the Election Commission, read: "In case of multi-phase elections, manifesto shall not be released during the prohibitory periods, as prescribed under Section 126 of the RP Act of all the phases of those elections."

In case of single phase election, manifesto shall not be released during the prohibitory period.

As per Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, campaigning is prohibited during the 48-hour period before the voting day.