PEMRA sets up monitoring center to ensure fair coverage of polls

As the country gears up for general elections scheduled for Feb 8 (Thursday) the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has established a dedicated monitoring center to oversee broadcasting activities across television channels, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.

Pemra Director General Operations Muhammad Tahir while talking to 24 News exclusively said that the authority has taken proactive measures to ensure fair and transparent coverage of the polling process.

“In anticipation of the crucial polling day, special monitoring teams have been constituted to operate on the polling day, tasked with ensuring compliance with regulations set forth by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP),” he maintained.

Any deviation from the code of conduct established by the ECP will result in stringent action against the offending TV channels, Tahir emphasised.

He reiterated that a ban on election campaigns and advertisements on TV channels will come into effect from last night (Tuesday midnight).

He continued that stringent guidelines have been put in place to prevent the broadcasting of content that may disrupt peace, order, and the electoral process during polling hours.

“There is strictness on the news that contain violent incidents, terrorism and such news that close the polling.:

“Broadcasting news that could potentially influence polling station closures is strictly prohibited,” he added.

Tahir emphasized that no final unofficial election results can be aired on TV channels until 6 pm on polling day.

Violators of PEMRA and ECP codes of conduct may face fines of up to one crore rupees, he said adding that Pemra and the ECP remain in constant communication to ensure seamless coordination and effective enforcement of regulations on polling day.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani