The National Election Commission has warned that measures will be taken against media institutions that fail to adhere to election laws.
Addressing the media, Election Commission Chairman R. M. A. L. Rathnayake said a number of complaints have been received against certain media institutions promoting only selected Presidential candidates.
Rathnayake said the Government Information Department has been sending reports on the propaganda of candidates on mainstream media and electronic media.
He further said analysis has found that the time slots allocated for some Presidential candidates are not equal to those provided to other candidates.
“We have advised the relevant media institutions in this regard. If they fail to adhere to our advice and keep promoting one candidate, then we will have to take measures to address the situation under the powers vested with the Election Commission,” he said.
The Election Commission Chairman elaborated that the measures would most likely be the suspending of the association between the Commission and the media institution, not issuing media statements, not issuing invitations for press conferences and the suspension of the issuance of election results.
Rathnayake urged the media to adhere to the guidelines issued by the Election Commission for the 2024 Presidential Election. (Newswire)