By IANS,
New Delhi : The Election Commission Thursday directed the cabinet to refrain from conducting media briefings after its meetings.
In a statement issued here, the poll panel told the cabinet secretary to avoid such briefings.
“Now that the model code of conduct is in force throughout India in view of the current general elections to the Lok Sabha and the legislative assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Sikkim, the Commission would like to advise that such press conferences should be avoided, as far as possible, and the practice of issuing press releases may be resorted to in such cases,” the statement said.
The panel said they are aware of the normal practice of union ministers addressing press conferences after meetings of the council of ministers or when any issue of public importance relating to the ministry concerned needs to be brought to the attention of the people.
Given this, it said if the cabinet finds that holding a press conference becomes unavoidable in public interest, “then preferably an appropriate official may address the press conference”.
The commission said they should be “urgently” informed what action is being taken in this regard.