Allocation of equitable sharing of time

Section 39A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 deals with allocation of equitable sharing of time. [39A. Allocation of equitable sharing of time.(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Election Commission shall, on the basis of the past performance of a recognised political party, during elections, allocate equitable sharing of time on the cable te The Act came into force on 17 Jul 1951.

¹[39A. Allocation of equitable sharing of time.(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Election Commission shall, on the basis of the past performance of a recognised political party, during elections, allocate equitable sharing of time on the cable television network and other electronic media in such manner as may be prescribed to display or propagate any election matter or to address public in connection with an election.

(2) The allocation of equitable sharing of time under sub-section (1), in respect of an election, shall be made after the publication of list of contesting candidates under section 38 for the election and shall be valid till forty-eight hours before the hour fixed for poll for such election.

(3) The allocation of equitable sharing of time under sub-section (1) shall be binding on all political parties concerned.

(4) The Election Commission may, for the purposes of this section, make code of conduct for cable operators and electronic media and the cable operators and every person managing or responsible for the management of the electronic media shall abide by such code of conduct.

Explanation--For the purposes of this section,

(a) "electronic media" includes radio and any other broadcasting media notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette;

(b) "cable television network" and "cable operator" have the meanings respectively assigned to them under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 (7 of 1995).]

Section 39A, The Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Act 43 of 1951).